Using a citrate-nitrate process, BaCe0.9-xZrxY0.1O3-delta (x = 0, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7 and 0.8) nanopowders were synthesized, on the basis of which proton-conducting solid electrolytes (average size of coherent scattering region (CSR) - 15-53 nm) were obtained by spark plasma sintering (SPS) at a low temperature (900 degrees C). The dependence of phase composition, microstructure and electrophysical properties of the obtained samples on ZrO2 content and consolidation conditions was established. It was found that the BaCe0.4Zr0.5Y0.1O3-delta solid solution had the highest electrical conductivity among zirconium-containing ceramic materials in the studied concentration range. It was shown that SPS is a promising method for obtaining solid electrolytes for proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells (PCFC) at lower temperatures (by 400-500 degrees C), compared to traditionally-used temperature conditions (1400-1800 degrees C). (C) 2019 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.