Novel Composite Electrolytes of Zr(0.92)Y(0.08)O(2-α)(8YSZ)-Low Melting Point Glass Powder for Intermediate Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

In this study, Zr(0.92)Y(0.08)O(2-α)(8YSZ) powders were synthesized by the sol-gel method. The chemical physics changes and phase formation temperature of 8YSZ crystal were determined by thermogravimetry analysis and differential scanning calorimetry (TGA-DSC). 8YSZ-low melting point glass powder (8YSZ-glass) composite electrolytes with various weight ratios were prepared and calcined at different temperatures. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of the composite electrolytes were tested. The effects of synthesis temperature, weight ratio, test temperature, and oxygen partial pressure on the conductivities of 8YSZ-glass composite electrolytes, were also investigated at 400–800 °C. The result of the logσ ~ log(pO(2)) plot indicates that the 8YSZ-20% glass (700 °C) is almost a pure ionic conductor. The oxygen concentration discharge cell illustrates that the 8YSZ-20% glass (700 °C) composite electrolyte is a good oxygen ion conductor.