Increased solid-oxide fuel cell power density using interfacial ceria layers

Abstract

Solid-oxide fuel cell power densities typically drop rapidly as the operating temperature is decreased, due to electrolyte ohmic losses and/or electrode overpotentials. In this paper, we describe fuel cells utilizing 8 μm thick yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolytes to provide low ohmic loss. Adding thin porous yttria doped ceria (YDC) layers on either side of the YSZ yielded much-reduced interfacial resistances at both the LSM cathodes and Ni–YSZ anodes. The cells provide higher power densities than previously reported below 700°C, e.g. 300 and 480 mW cm −2 at 600 and 650°C, respectively (measured in 97%H 2+3%H 2O and air), and also provide high power densities at higher temperatures, e.g. 760 mW cm −2 at 750°C.