Atmospheric Plasma-Sprayed Metal-Supported Solid Oxide Fuel Cells with Varying Cathode Microstructures

Abstract

Metal-supported solid oxide fuel cells were manufactured by plasma spraying the cell layers on porous ferritic stainless steel supports. Cathodes with four different microstructures were produced by varying the plasma spray parameters and mixing carbon or starch-based pore forming agents with the ceramic feedstock powders. At 750°C, the best-performing button cell contained a cathode made with a carbon pore forming agent. This cell had an open circuit potential of 1.057 V and peak power density of 562 mW/cm². The lowest cell polarization resistance was 0.29 Ωcm² at 750°C, measured at an operating point of 0.7 V.