Yttrium-doped barium zirconate protonic conductors were synthesized by a two-step route consisting on diffusing barium ions into previously prepared yttrium-doped zirconia. The evolution of the structural phase content was followed by in situ high temperature X-ray diffraction in the room temperature-1200C and by X-ray diffraction analysis of a mixture of cubic yttria-stabilized zirconia and barium carbonate heat treated at high temperatures. The attainment of the BaZr0.85Y0.15O3-delta composition was evaluated by X-ray fluorescence measurements. Pellets sintered at 1500C had the electrical behavior under humidified argon studied by impedance spectroscopy in the 300-600C in the 40 Hz-110 MHz frequency range. Unitary planar solid oxide fuel cells La0,6Sr0,4Fe0,8Co0,2O3/BaZr0.85Y0.15O3-delta/Pt were assembled for measuring the output voltage under operation with hydrogen, methane and ethanol as fuels and air as the oxidant.