Niobium phosphates as an intermediate temperature proton conducting electrolyte for fuel cells

Abstract

A new proton conductor based on niobium phosphates was synthesized using niobium pentoxide and phosphoric acid as precursors. The existence of hydroxyl groups in the phosphates was confirmed and found to be preserved after heat treatment at 500 °C or higher, contributing to an anhydrous proton conductivity of 1.6 × 10⁻² S cm⁻¹ at 250 °C. The conductivity increased with water content in the atmosphere and reached 5.8 × 10⁻² S cm⁻¹ under pure water vapour at the same temperature. The conductivity showed good stability in the low water partial pressure range of up to 0.05 atm. The metal phosphates are of high interest as potential proton conducting electrolytes for fuel cells operational in an intermediate temperature range.