Evaluation of Electrochemical Performance and Polarization Losses of Proton-Conducting Electrolytes

Abstract

The world is expected to face the crises of energy in near future and to overcome these crises fuel cells can play a vital role. The fuel cell is the one of the promising renewable energy sources as compared to other sources. We obtained electrical energy from chemical energy through electrochemical process. Now a day the research is about to achieve the structural improvement along high efficiency of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) at intermediate temperature. These cells have become the favorable energy source due to their inherent simplicity, low noise and insignificant pollutant emission and have efficiency greater than 50% in converting fuel to electricity through electrochemical reaction. There are three main parts of SOFC cathode, electrolyte and anode. Mainly these type of materials are selected for electrolyte. In this research work perovskite materials are used for electrolyte materials and investigate their effect on SOFC. The powders of BaCe0.7Y0.2Zr0.1O3-δ (BCYZ), as electrolyte material for SOFC were synthesized by using co-precipitation method. These samples are characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). These techniques were used to study their structure, crystalline size, microstructure, composition, functional group and morphology. With the help of these techniques we observed the effects and behavior of BCYZ. From XRD analysis it confirms crystalline size of the material. From SEM analysis pores are reduce and grain sizes increases. The bonds of hydroxyl groups and metal oxides are confirmed through FTIR analysis.