Microstructure influence on transport properties of BCZY/LNZ composites for single-layer fuel cell

In this paper, the influence of structural and microstructural properties on the properties of electric transport is presented. Composite samples of BaCe0.7Zr0.2Y0.1O3–? (BCZY) and Li2O:NiO:ZnO (LNZ) with various amount of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) have been prepared by solid-state reaction route. The porosity caused by the addition of PVA changed the level of total conductivity from 5.8∙10-2 S·cm-1 to 9.5∙10-4 S·cm-1 at 800 °C in dry air. In the humidified atmosphere, the overall conductivities of selected composites were different than measured in dry air what may be related to the surface effects in proton conducting BaZrO3. The influence of porosity on the electrical properties of composites has been analyzed and discussed showing its detrimental nature.