To clarify the chemical stability of the key materials exposed to coal syngas (CSG) containing PH3 contaminant atmosphere, exposure tests of Y2O3 8 mol.% stabilized ZrO2 (YSZ) and Gd doped CeO2 (GDC) are carried out in simulated CSG with different concentrations of PH3. Significant reaction between YSZ and 10 ppm PH3 in CSG atmosphere is confirmed, and no obvious reaction is detected on the surface of YSZ after exposed in CSG with 1 ppm PH3. YPO4, Zr-2.2 (PO4)(3) and monoclinic Y partial stabilized ZrO2 (nPSZ) are identified on the YSZ pellet surface after exposed in CSG with 10 ppm PH3. GDC reacted with PH3 even at 1 ppm concentration. A (Ce0.9Gd0.1)PO4 layer is formed on the surface of GDC pellet after exposure in CSG with 10 ppm PH3. Possible reaction mechanisms between YSZ and GDC with PH3 in CSG are clarified. Compared with GDC, YSZ exhibits sufficient phosphorus resistance for devices directly exposed to a coal syngas atmosphere containing low concentration of PH3. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.