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The Dual Membrane Cell (DM-Cell) is an innovative concept for solid state fuel cells operating in the temperature range 600-700 • C. It is based on a junction between the cathode/electrolyte part of a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) and the anode/electrolyte part of a protonic SOFC (PCFC) via a mixed H + and O 2− conducting porous ceramic membrane, named Dual Membrane (DM). This Dual Membrane is the key feature of the DM-Cell architecture and constitutes a third independent gas compartment for water formation and evacuation. This innovation is expected to reduce the drawbacks associated to the presence of water at one or the other electrodes taking place in conventional SOFC and PCFC. The proof of the DM-Cell concept was obtained by several dedicated experiments, i.e. through the electrical characterization of complete cells in a three-compartments rig, specifically designed to detect water vapor formation in the DM compartment. The paper reports the proof of the concept of the DM-Cell through a set of electrochemical results performed on thick model cells. The applicability of a potentially industrial shaping process to this new design is demonstrated on plasma sprayed metal supported complete dual membrane cell.

The IDEAL-Cell concept is based on the junction between a PCFC anode/electrolyte section and a SOFC cathode/electrolyte section, through a mixed proton and oxide ion conducting porous ceramic membrane, operating in the temperature range 600-700°C. Recombination of ions takes place within the junction, or central membrane (CM), and water vapor is evacuated through open porosity. The first results on the fabrication of multilayered samples reproducing the IDEAL-Cell structure are reported here, together with electrochemical tests carried out on selected samples in order to evaluate the performances of the chosen materials and to demonstrate the feasibility of this innovative concept of fuel cell. Stable OCV and power generation were obtained in the multilayered structures. Anomalies in the I/V curves and impedance measurements under large perturbation could be considered as proofs of water formation inside the central membrane.

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