Zr- and Tb-doped barium cerate-based cermet membrane for hydrogen separation application

Ba0.8Ce0.35Zr0.5Tb0.15O3- (BCZT) perovskite has been synthesized by glycine-assisted solution combustion method. The Ni-Ba0.8Ce0.35Zr0.5Tb0.15O3--based cermet membrane is obtained by cosintering NiO and BCZT powder mixture at 1550 degrees C in reducing atmosphere. The X-ray diffraction pattern of sintered pellet shows the characteristic peaks of both Ni and BCZT phases. FESEM image and elemental mapping confirm the presence of randomly distributed metallic nickel in the BCZT matrix. An electrical conductivity of similar to 14S/cm at 700 degrees C is achieved in Ni-BCZT membrane, which reduced further with increase in temperature (>700 degrees C). The cermet membrane (1.5mm thick) shows a highest hydrogen permeation flux of similar to 0.07mL/min/cm(2) at 900 degrees C. Chemical stability of Ni-BCZT membrane has also been examined under humid and carbon dioxide containing atmosphere. The membrane shows good structural stability without any significant change in hydrogen permeation flux.