LAUSR

Abstract In this paper, 4 mol% ZnO-doped Zr0.92Y0.08O2-α (8YSZ) and its 8YSZ+4ZnO/NaCl-KCl composite electrolyte were synthesized by a solid-state reaction. The X–ray diffraction (XRD) analysis indicates that 8YSZ+4ZnO and inorganic chlorides phases can coexist. The inorganic chlorides decrease the synthesis temperature of 8YSZ+4ZnO. The highest conductivities of 8YSZ+4ZnO and 8YSZ+4ZnO-NK are 7.0 × 10−3 S cm−1 and 7.7 × 10−2 S cm−1 at 700 °C, respectively. The oxygen concentration discharge cell shows that 8YSZ+4ZnO and 8YSZ+4ZnO-NK are good oxide ionic conductors under an oxygen-containing atmosphere. Finally, an H2/O2 fuel cell based on the 8YSZ+4ZnO-NK electrolyte reached the maximum power density (Pmax) of 315.5 mW cm−2 at 700 °C.