Micro-Tubular Solid Oxide Fuel Cells with One Closed-End Fabricated Via Dip-Coating and Co-Firing

Abstract

Tubular solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) with one closed-end configuration have high tolerance of thermal cycling owing to the capability of expanding and shrinking freely in response to thermal stresses. Additionally, tubular cells with one closed-end have simple sealing requirements, and enable making the stacks with uniform temperature distribution. In this study, anode supported micro-tubular SOFCs with one closed-end were manufactured successfully by dip-coating and co-firing methods using carbon rods with round end as a template. A dense electrolyte layer was obtained at a co-firing temperature of 1400 °C, followed by cathode deposition and sintering. The prepared micro-tubular SOFCs comprised of Ni-yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), Ni–scandia-stabilized zirconia (SSZ), strontium-doped lanthanum manganite (LSM)-SSZ, and LSM as the anode support, anode functional layer, electrolyte, cathode functional layer, and cathode current collector, respectively. The electrochemical performance and microstructure of fabricated closed-end micro-tubular SOFC was evaluated by electrochemical characterization and scanning electron microscopy. The developed dip-coating method is fast in turnaround time and enables fabricating the one closed-end tubes of various lengths and diameters by co-firing.