A High Power Density Intermediate‐Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cell with Thin (La0.9Sr0.1)0.98(Ga0.8Mg0.2)O3‐δ Electrolyte and Nano‐Scale Anode

Abstract

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) with thin (La0.9Sr0.1)0.98Ga0.8Mg0.2O3‐δ (LSGM) electrolytes are primary candidates for achieving high (> 1 W cm‐2) power density at intermediate (< 650 °C) temperatures. Although high power density LSGM‐electrolyte SOFCs have been reported, it is still necessary to develop a fabrication process suitable for large‐scale manufacturing and to minimize the amount of LSGM used. Here we show that SOFCs made with a novel processing method and a Sr0.8La0.2TiO3‐α (SLT) oxide support can achieve high power density at intermediate temperature. The SLT support is advantageous, especially compared to LSGM supports, because of its low materials cost, electronic conductivity, and good mechanical strength. The novel process is to first co‐fire the ceramic layers – porous SLT support, porous LSGM layer, and dense LSGM layer – followed by infiltration of nano‐scale Ni into the porous layers. Low polarization resistance of 0.188 Ωcm2 was achieved at 650 °C for a cell with an optimized anode functional layer (AFL) and an (La,Sr)(Fe,Co)O3 cathode. Maximum power density reached 1.12 W cm−2 at 650 °C, limited primarily by cathode polarization and ohmic resistances, so there is considerable potential to further improve the power density.