Protonic properties and structure of Ba0.5Sr0.5(Co0.7Fe0.3)0.6875W0.3125O3 (BSCFW); a self-assembled perovskite composite cathode for PCFCs

Energy barriers and mechanisms involved in H+ transport in proton conducting oxides are understood with adequate knowledge of the structure. Ba0.5Sr0.5(Co0.7Fe0.3)0.6875W0.3125O3 (BSCFW) is a single- (SP) and double-perovskite (DP) composite material that displays promising hydration behaviour and power density as a potential cathode for protonic ceramic fuel cell (PCFC). Preferential hydration of the SP is seen through preliminary XRD experiments. We aim to characterise this material in situ under dry and humid (D2O) atmosphere at room temperature and 500 °C, comparable to operating conditions, locating structural deuterium through Fourier analysis which is possible only through having access to high quality neutron data. This understanding will provide insight in to the kinetic mechanisms leading to proton conduction and a design rationale for more efficient PCFC electrode materials.