Abstract
Anode-supported cells are prepared by a sequence of hot pressing and co-sintering processes for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) applications. Commercially available porous anode tape (NiO/YSZ = 50 wt %/50 wt %), anode tape (NiO/YSZ = 30 wt %/70 wt %), and YSZ are used as the anode substrate, anode functional layer, and electrolyte layer, respectively. After hot pressing, the stacked layers are then sintered at different temperatures (1250 °C, 1350 °C, 1400 °C and 1450 °C) for 5 h in air. Different compressive loads are applied during the sintering process. An (La,Sr)MnO3 (LSM) paste is coated on the post-sintered anode-supported electrolyte surface as the cathode, and sintered at different temperatures (1100 °C, 1150 °C, 1200 °C and 1250 °C) for 2 h in air to generate anode-supported cells with dimensions of 60 × 60 mm2 (active reaction area of 50 × 50 mm2). SEM is used to investigate the anode structure of the anode-supported cells. In addition, confocal laser scanning microscopy is used to investigate the roughness of the cathode surfaces. At sintering temperatures of 1400 °C and 1450 °C, there is significant grain growth in the anode. Furthermore, the surface of the cathode is smoother at a firing temperature of 1200 °C. It is also found that the optimal compressive load of 1742 Pa led to a flatness of 168 µm/6 cm and a deformation of 0.72%. The open circuit voltage and power density of the anode-supported cell at 750 °C were 1.0 V and 178 mW·cm−2, respectively.
Highlights
In recent years, anode-supported planar solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) have received much attention, owing to their good power density at intermediate temperatures
A multilayer tape casting and co-sintering process has been studied to fabricate large-area anode-supported planar single cells consisting of: (a) an anode substrate (Ni-yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ)), to provide good electrical conductivity and sufficient mechanical strength; (b) an anode functional layer, to improve the electrochemical performance; and (c) an ScSZ electrolyte used in the form of a thin film, to reduce the ohmic resistance at lower temperatures [1]
Conventional SOFCs with an yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolyte are being operated at 900 ◦ C or higher temperatures to attain a power density sufficient for use in the system
Summary
Anode-supported planar solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) have received much attention, owing to their good power density at intermediate temperatures. A multilayer tape casting and co-sintering process has been studied to fabricate large-area anode-supported planar single cells consisting of: (a) an anode substrate (Ni-YSZ), to provide good electrical conductivity and sufficient mechanical strength; (b) an anode functional layer, to improve the electrochemical performance; and (c) an ScSZ electrolyte used in the form of a thin film, to reduce the ohmic resistance at lower temperatures [1]. Conventional SOFCs with an yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolyte are being operated at 900 ◦ C or higher temperatures to attain a power density sufficient for use in the system. Because electrochemical and conduction processes in SOFCs are strongly thermally activated, a reduced operating temperature leads to the problem of large voltage losses, due to the ohmic resistance of the materials and polarization at the electrodes. As most of the voltage losses arise from the ohmic resistance of the electrolyte, a number of approaches have been reported for preparing a thinner electrolyte, reducing the corresponding resistance [4,5] and obtaining a high power density when using YSZ thin-film electrolytes [6,7]
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