Potassium doping optimization in proton-conducting Ba_1-xK_xCe_0.6Zr_0.2Y_0.2O_3-δ oxides for fuel cell applications

This study first reports the K doping optimization in proton-conducting Ba_1-xK_xCe_0.6Zr_0.2Y_0.2O_3-δ (x = 0.025–0.2) oxides synthesized by using a combination of citrate-EDTA complexing sol-gel process and composition-exchange method. Among all samples, the ceramic pellet with a K doping content of 10% exhibits excellent sinterability, highest relative density, highest protonic conduction, and also excellent chemical stability against CO₂. Moreover, the Pt/electrolyte/Pt single cell with such a Ba_0.9K_0.1Ce_0.6Zr_0.2Y_0.2O_3-δ electrolyte shows a significantly higher maximum powder density in the hydrogen-air fuel cell experiment, which can be attributed to its denser microstructures and higher protonic conductivity caused by introducing highly basic K cations. Based on these experimental results, we discuss the improvement mechanism in terms of calcined K-doped particle characteristics. This work demonstrates that the Ba_1-xK_xCe_0.6Zr_0.2Y_0.2O_3-δ oxide synthesized by the sol-gel combined with composition-exchange method with an optimal K doping would be a promising electrolyte for proton-conducting fuel cell applications.