Pore structure improvement in cermet for anode-supported protonic ceramic fuel cells

The porous cermet of Yb-doped BaZrO3 and nickel (BZYb–Ni) for anode-supported protonic ceramic fuel cells (PCFCs) was fabricated by compression molding following the liquid condensation process (LCP). The gas permeability of BZYb–Ni produced by LCP (BZYb–NiLCP) was greater than that of BZYb–Ni produced by a conventional drying method (BZYb–NiCDM) although their porosities were similar. The greater permeability of BZYb–NiLCP than that of BZYb–NiCDM is consistent with more efficient structures for gas flow; a smaller specific surface area, and a larger critical diameter for pores in BZYb–NiLCP than those for pores in BZYb–NiCDM.