Sr3−3xNa3xSi3O9−1.5x (x = 0.45) as a superior solid oxide-ion electrolyte for intermediate temperature-solid oxide fuel cells

Abstract

We here report that a newly discovered superior oxide-ion conductor Sr_3−3xNa_3xSi₃O_9−1.5x (x = 0.45) (SNS) demonstrates full potential to be a practical solid electrolyte for intermediate temperature-solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs). It exhibits the highest oxide-ion conductivity with the lowest activation energy among all the chemically stable solid oxide-ion conductors reported. The ionic conductivity is stable over a broad range of partial pressures of oxygen (10⁻³⁰ to 1 atm) for an extended period of time. A SOFC based on a 294 μm thick SNS-electrolyte produces peak power densities of 431 and 213 mW cm⁻² at 600 and 500 °C, respectively. Considering its competitive costs in materials and manufacturing and rare-earth free composition, SNS has great potential to become a new class of technologically and strategically important electrolytes for commercial IT-SOFCs.