Readily processed protonic ceramic fuel cells with high performance at low temperatures

TLDR

Ceramic ion conductors can serve as electrolytes in fuel cells using natural gas, but solid‑oxide fuel cells that conduct oxygen ions typically require high operating temperatures of at least 600 °C. The authors developed a proton‑conducting ceramic fuel cell with a modified cathode that achieves high performance on methane fuel at 500 °C. Citation: Du et al., Science, this issue p.

Abstract

Cooler ceramic fuel cells Ceramic ion conductors can be used as electrolytes in fuel cells using natural gas. One drawback of such solid-oxide fuel cells that conduct oxygen ions is their high operating temperatures (at least 600°C). Du an et al. have made a proton-conducting ceramic fuel cell with a modified cathode material that exhibits high performance on methane fuel at 500°C (see the Perspective by Gorte). Science , this issue p. 1321 ; see also p. 1290