BaZr0.1Ce0.7Y0.1Yb0.1O3-delta (BZCYYb) exhibits adequate protonic conductivity as well as sufficient chemical and thermal stability over a wide range of SOFC operating conditions, while layered perovskite PrBaCo2O5+delta (PBCO) has advanced electrochemical properties. This research fully takes advantage of these advanced properties and develops a novel protonic ceramic membrane fuel cell (PCMFC) of Ni-BZCYYb vertical bar BZCYYb vertical bar PBCO. The performance of the button cell was tested under intermediate-temperature range from 600 to 700 degrees C with humified H-2 (similar to 3% H2O) as fuel and ambient air as oxidant. The results show that the open circuit potential of 0.983 V and the maximal power density of 490 mW cm(-2) were achieved at 700 degrees C. By co-doping barium zirconate-cerate with Y and Yb, the conductivity of electrolyte was significantly improved. The polarization processes of the button cell were characterized using the complicated electrochemical impedance spectroscopy technique. The results indicate that the polarization resistances contributed from both charge migration processes and mass transfer processes increase with decreasing cell voltage loads. However the polarization resistance induced by mass transfer processes is negligible in the studied button cell. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.