Abstract. Oxygen-ion conducting solid electrolyte systems have been reviewed with specific emphasis on their use in solid oxide fuel cells. The relationships between phase assemblage, electrolyte stability and ionic conductivity have been discussed. The role of parameters such as sintering temperature and atmosphere which influence the segregation of impurities, present in the starting ceramic powders, at grain boundaries and at the external surface of the electrolyte compacts has been emphasised. The stability of various electrolyte materials in contact with other fuel cell components and in fuel environments has been discussed in detail. The ageing behaviour at fuel cell operating temperatures has been described. Data on ionic conductivity, mechanical and thermal properties have been presented for a number of electrolyte materials.
Solid‐state electrochemical cells based on oxygen‐ion conduction (pure ionic or mixed ionic/electronic conductors) allow selective transport of oxygen (oxygen‐ion conducting materials) in the form of ionic flux at high temperatures. Thus these systems can act as filters for molecular oxygen and can be used for both generation or removal of oxygen selectively. The usage of such devices are numerous, including production of high purity oxygen for medical applications, aqua‐culture and combustion processes; control of oxygen partial pressure in industrial environments; production of power and chemicals; and removal of oxygen from enclosures and gas streams. In this paper, a brief overview of the technology has been given and various membrane materials for construction of such devices have been discussed.
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