Electrolyte Materials for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell

Mridula Biswas and Krishna Cha

Abstract

The first criterion for the electrolyte of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) is to have sufficient ionic conductivity without any significant electronic conductivity. Since the cell operates at high temperature, it must withstand that operating temperature along with stability in both reducing and oxidizing environments. It must be impermeable to gas to prevent mixing between fuel and oxidizer before they reach to the reaction sites. There are two groups of electrolytes based on their ion conducting phenomenon. They are oxide ion conducting and proton conducting. Oxide ion conducting materials are widely used. Therefore, the primary focus is given on these materials.