XRD and DC Conductivity Studies of CeO2-BaO Anode Catalyst for the Robust Proton Ceramic Fuel Cell Applications

Authors

  • Nurul Hazwani Binti Yusof Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 02600 Arau, Perlis, Malaysia Author
  • Chung-Jen Tseng Center for Energy Research, National Central University, No.300, Zhongda Rd., Zhongli, District, Taoyuan City 320317, Taiwan Author
  • Hanani Yazid Proton Ceramic Fuel Cells Research Group, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, Malaysia Author
  • Abdul Mutalib Md Jani Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 35400 Tapah Road, Tapah, Perak, Malaysia Author https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3765-6268
  • Nafisah Osman Proton Ceramic Fuel Cells Research Group, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, Malaysia Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6303-8554

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.66514/ssst34-1-11-18

Abstract

Proton ceramic fuel cells (PCFCs) demand anode materials that can operate efficiently in both hydrogen and hydrocarbon fuels. Hence, an anode reforming layer (ARL) is often introduced to enhance catalytic activity, suppress carbon deposition, and improve fuel utilization during direct hydrocarbon operation. Among various types of catalysts used as ARL, rare-earth and metal oxide-based materials are employed to ensure adequate electrical conductivity, compatibility with the anode support, and good structural stability under high temperatures. In this work, the calcined BaO and CeO2 powders with three different ratios: 40 wt.% CeO2–60 wt.% BaO (S1), 50 wt.% CeO2–50 wt.% BaO (S2), and 60 wt.% CeO2–40 wt.% BaO (S3) are dry-pressed into a 25 mm pellet, followed by solid-state sintering at T = 1050 °C. Analyses of XRD revealed that the S1, S2 and S3 (a) showed both cubic CeO2–BaO phases with space group Fm-3m, and (b) consisting of a secondary phase of BaCO3. At T = 600 °C, S2 exhibited the highest surface conductivity value (0.76 S/cm) compared to S1 (0.58 S/cm) and S3 (0.68 S/cm), making it a great potential as a high-temperature catalyst for ARL in PCFCs applications.

Author Biographies

  • Nurul Hazwani Binti Yusof, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 02600 Arau, Perlis, Malaysia

    1Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 02600 Arau, Perlis, Malaysia.

  • Chung-Jen Tseng, Center for Energy Research, National Central University, No.300, Zhongda Rd., Zhongli, District, Taoyuan City 320317, Taiwan

    Centre for Energy Research, National Central University, No.300, Zhongda Rd., Zhongli, District, Taoyuan City 320317, Taiwan.

  • Hanani Yazid , Proton Ceramic Fuel Cells Research Group, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, Malaysia

    1Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 02600 Arau, Perlis, Malaysia

    3Proton Ceramic Fuel Cells Research Group, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, Malaysia

  • Abdul Mutalib Md Jani, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 35400 Tapah Road, Tapah, Perak, Malaysia

    Proton Ceramic Fuel Cells Research Group, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, Malaysia

    Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 35400 Tapah Road, Tapah, Perak, Malaysia

     

  • Nafisah Osman, Proton Ceramic Fuel Cells Research Group, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, Malaysia

    Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 02600 Arau, Perlis, MalaysiaProton Ceramic Fuel Cells Research Group, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, Malaysia

    *Corresponding author:  fisha@uitm.edu.my

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Published

17-05-2026

Issue

Vol. 34 No. 1 (2026): Solid State Science and Technology

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Articles

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Copyright (c) 2026 Nurul Hazwani Binti Yusof, Chung-Jen Tseng, Hanani Yazid , Abdul Mutalib Md Jani, Nafisah Osman (Author)

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