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Abstract

A honeycomb ceramic fuel cell is provided including, among other things, (i) an yttria stabilized bismuth oxide oxygen ion conductive ceramic with zirconia incorporated therein, (ii) a niobia stabilized bismuth oxide oxygen ion conductive ceramic, (iii) a copper cermet anode electrode disposed in the fuel supply passage of a bismuth oxide ceramic fuel cell, or (iv) specially arranged inter-passage channels formed in the ceramic body of the fuel cell. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a ceramic fuel cell is provided comprising an oxidant supply passage, a cathode electrode disposed in the oxidant supply passage, a fuel supply passage, an anode electrode disposed in the fuel supply passage, and a stabilized bismuth oxide oxygen ion conductive ceramic interposed between the cathode electrode and the anode electrode. The ceramic may be stabilized with yttria or niobia and may include zirconia. Fuel cells incorporating the ceramic compositions of the present invention are operational at temperatures at or below about 650.degree. C. Thus, sooting of the ceramic body is not a problem if unreformed organic fuels are utilized in the present invention. According to certain embodiments of the present invention, a zirconia coating is interposed between the stabilized ceramic body and the anode electrode. Further, the ceramic electrodes of the present invention may be provided with a silver overlay.

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First Claim