An object of the present invention is to provide a hydrogen permeable material having excellent hydrogen permeability. Another object of the present invention is to provide a composite member and a fuel cell including the hydrogen permeable material. The hydrogen permeable material comprises a perovskite type compound represented by the following general formula (1a). In another embodiment, the hydrogen permeable material comprises a hydrogen-containing perovskite type compound, which is the perovskite type compound represented by the general formula (1a) with introduced hydride ion (H.sup.−). Wherein M is at least one alkaline earth metal selected from the group consisting of Ba, Sr and Ca, x is a numerical value of 0 or more and 0.3 or less, y is a numerical value of more than 0 and 0.75 or less, w is a value at which an average valence of In is +1.0 or more and +2.5 or less, and y≥w.

M.sub.1-xZr.sub.1-yIn.sub.yO.sub.3-x-0.5y-2  (1a)

An object of the present invention is to provide a hydrogen permeable material having excellent hydrogen permeability. Another object of the present invention is to provide a composite member and a fuel cell including the hydrogen permeable material. The hydrogen permeable material comprises a perovskite type compound represented by the following general formula (1a). In another embodiment, the hydrogen permeable material comprises a hydrogen-containing perovskite type compound, which is the perovskite type compound represented by the general formula (1a) with introduced hydride ion (H.sup.−). Wherein M is at least one alkaline earth metal selected from the group consisting of Ba, Sr and Ca, x is a numerical value of 0 or more and 0.3 or less, y is a numerical value of more than 0 and 0.75 or less, w is a value at which an average valence of In is +1.0 or more and +2.5 or less, and y≥w.

M.sub.1-xZr.sub.1-yIn.sub.yO.sub.3-x-0.5y-2  (1a)

In various embodiments, techniques for fabricating solid oxide fuel cells utilize setter plates composed of or having outer surfaces composed of materials unreactive with species found in the layers of the cell.

In various embodiments, techniques for fabricating solid oxide fuel cells utilize setter plates composed of or having outer surfaces composed of materials unreactive with species found in the layers of the cell.

A method of manufacturing by magnetron cathode sputtering an electrolyte film for use in solid oxide cells (SOC). This method comprises the steps consisting of heating a substrate to a temperature ranging from 200° C. to 1200° C.; followed by subjecting the substrate to at least two treatment cycles, each treatment cycle comprising: 1) depositing one layer of a metal precursor on the substrate by magnetron cathode sputtering of a target made up of the metal precursor, the sputtering being carried out under elemental sputtering conditions; followed by 2) oxidation-crystallisation of the metal precursor forming the layer deposited on the substrate in the presence of oxygen to obtain the transformation of the metal precursor into the electrolyte material; and in that the substrate is kept at a temperature ranging from 200° C. to 1200° C. for the entire duration of each treatment cycle.

A method of manufacturing by magnetron cathode sputtering an electrolyte film for use in solid oxide cells (SOC). This method comprises the steps consisting of heating a substrate to a temperature ranging from 200° C. to 1200° C.; followed by subjecting the substrate to at least two treatment cycles, each treatment cycle comprising: 1) depositing one layer of a metal precursor on the substrate by magnetron cathode sputtering of a target made up of the metal precursor, the sputtering being carried out under elemental sputtering conditions; followed by 2) oxidation-crystallisation of the metal precursor forming the layer deposited on the substrate in the presence of oxygen to obtain the transformation of the metal precursor into the electrolyte material; and in that the substrate is kept at a temperature ranging from 200° C. to 1200° C. for the entire duration of each treatment cycle.

A cerium-zirconium oxide-based ionic conductor (CZOIC) material including zirconium oxide in an amount ranging from 5 wt. % up to 95 wt. %, cerium oxide in an amount ranging from 95 wt. % to 5 wt. %, and at least one oxide or a rare earth metal in an amount ranging from 30 wt. % or less, based on the overall mass of the CZOIC material. The CZOIC material exhibits a structure comprising one or more expanded unit cells and a plurality of crystallites having ordered nano-domains. The structure of the CZOIC material exhibits a crystal lattice defined by a d-value measured at multiple (hkl) locations using a SAED technique that exhibit distortions, such that the d-values for the same (hkl) location varies from about 2% to about 5% from the d-value measured for a reference cerium-zirconium material at the same (hkl) location.

A cerium-zirconium oxide-based ionic conductor (CZOIC) material including zirconium oxide in an amount ranging from 5 wt. % up to 95 wt. %, cerium oxide in an amount ranging from 95 wt. % to 5 wt. %, and at least one oxide or a rare earth metal in an amount ranging from 30 wt. % or less, based on the overall mass of the CZOIC material. The CZOIC material exhibits a structure comprising one or more expanded unit cells and a plurality of crystallites having ordered nano-domains. The structure of the CZOIC material exhibits a crystal lattice defined by a d-value measured at multiple (hkl) locations using a SAED technique that exhibit distortions, such that the d-values for the same (hkl) location varies from about 2% to about 5% from the d-value measured for a reference cerium-zirconium material at the same (hkl) location.

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.

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.