Materials for electrochemical cells are provided. BaZr.sub.0.4Ce.sub.0.4M.sub.0.2O.sub.3 compounds, where M represents one or more rare earth elements, are provided for use as electrolytes. PrBa.sub.0.5Sr.sub.0.5Co.sub.2−xFe.sub.xO.sub.5+δ is provided for use as a cathode. Also provided are electrochemical cells, such as protonic ceramic fuel cells, incorporating the compounds as electrolytes and cathodes.

Described herein are solid oxide fuel cells comprising conductive layers and methods of fabricating such cells. Specifically, a solid oxide fuel cell comprises cathode and anode layers, each comprising a porous base, catalyst sites disposed within the base, and a conductive layer. The conductive layer provides electrical conduction between the corresponding current collector and the catalyst sites. The conductive layer may at least partially extend into the porous base. For example, at least a portion of the conductive layer may be formed by infiltration of the porous base, e.g., before catalyst infiltration. In some examples, at least a portion of the conductive layer forms an interface between the corresponding porous base and the current collector. In these examples, the conductive layer is formed from an initial (green) conductive layer that is stacked between layers used to form the porous base and current collector and sintered the stack.

A fuel cell system column includes a first terminal plate connected to a first electrical output of the column, a second terminal plate connected to a second electrical output of the column, at least one first fuel cell stack located in a middle portion of the column between the first terminal plate and the second terminal plate, and at least one electrical connection which is electrically connected to the middle portion of the column and which is configured to provide a more uniform fuel utilization across the first column.

A solid oxide fuel cell comprising an anode layer, an electrolyte layer, and a two phased cathode layer. The two phased cathode layer comprises praseodymium and gadolinium-doped ceria. Additionally, the solid oxide fuel cell does not contain a barrier layer.

The present invention inexpensively provides an electrode material for a fuel electrode, the electrode material having CO.sub.2 resistance and being capable of forming a fuel cell having high electricity generation performance. An electrode material for a fuel electrode, the electrode material constituting a fuel electrode of a fuel cell including a proton-conductive solid electrolyte layer, includes a perovskite-type solid electrolyte component and a nickel (Ni) catalyst component, in which the solid electrolyte component includes a barium component, a zirconium component, a cerium component, and a yttrium component, and the mixture ratio of the zirconium component to the cerium component in the solid electrolyte component is set to be 1:7 to 7:1 in terms of molar ratio.

A metal-ceramic composite for a fuel cell anode is disclosed. In the metal-ceramic composite, the content of the metal is greatly reduced and the intervals between the metal particles are maintained constant, achieving improved activity and conductivity. The metal-ceramic composite includes a metal catalyst raw material and a mixed-conductive ceramic. The metal catalyst raw material is present in an amount such that the content of the metal catalyst nanoparticles in the metal-ceramic composite is significantly lower than in conventional metal-ceramic composites. The presence of a small amount of the metal catalyst nanoparticles in the metal-ceramic composite minimizes the occurrence of stress resulting from a change in the volume of the metal catalyst and provides a solution to the problem of defects, achieving improved life characteristics. Also disclosed is a method for preparing the metal-ceramic composite.

Tubular ceramic structures, e.g., anode components of tubular fuel cells, are manufactured by applying ceramic-forming composition to the external surface of the heat shrinkable polymeric tubular mandrel component of a rotating mandrel-spindle assembly, removing the spindle from the assembly after a predetermined thickness of tubular ceramic structure has been built up on the mandrel and thereafter heat shrinking the mandrel to cause the mandrel to separate from the tubular ceramic structure.

A process for the preparation of a membrane electrode assembly comprising providing, in the following layer order, (I) a green supporting electrode layer comprising a composite of a mixed metal oxide and Ni oxide; (IV) a green mixed metal oxide membrane layer; and (V) a green second electrode layer comprising a composite of a mixed metal oxide and Ni oxide; and sintering all three layers simultaneously.

An electrode can include a functional layer having an Ln.sub.2MO.sub.4 phase, where Ln is at least one lanthanide optionally doped with a metal and M is at least one 3d transition metal, and a heavily-doped ceria phase. An electrochemical device or a sensor device can include the electrode.

A unit cell includes an air inlet/outlet that is formed on a frame unit rather than being installed in a fuel electrode (anode) to simplify a sealing process, and accordingly, a continuous process using a tape casting technique may be performed. In addition, an electrolyte material that is in contact with an air electrode (cathode) in the frame unit is optimized to improve ion conductivity and a porosity of an upper layer material of the fuel electrode unit is optimized to increase fuel diffusion from a gas channel to an electrolyte layer. In addition, a sealing process performed inside the unit cell or between the unit cells of the stack is stabilized and strongly maintained, and thus a fuel cell using the unit cell and the stack disclosed herein may have excellent economic feasibility and high energy efficiency.