Alternate electrolyte materials for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells

The solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) employs yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) as the oxide ion conducting electrolyte. Because of the life limiting problems associated with the high temperature of operation (1273 K) of the YSZ electrolyte based cells, attempts are being made to develop alternate electrolytes which have oxide ion conductivity values comparable with that of YSZ at intermediate temperature (around 1073 K, Intermediate Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cell - ITSOFC). Partially substituted barium cerate perovskites were reported to have adequate ionic conductivity at 1073 K. Similarly, LaGaO 3 materials were also reported to have comparable ionic conductivity values. In this paper the fundamental aspects, problems and prospects of using LaGaO 3 based electrolytes in ITSOFC system and their systematic evolution in their eventual application are presented and discussed.