Ni-YSZ a New Support for Proton Conducting Fuel Cells

Abstract

In this research, the possibility of reducing the YSZ content inside the Ni-YSZ support of tubular solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) based on proton conducting electrolyte material BaZr0.1Ce0.7Y0.1Yb0.1O3-δ (BZCYYb) is studied. The cell consists of a Ni-yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) support (with different Ni:YSZ ratios), Ni-BZCYYb anode functional layer (AFL), BZCYYb electrolyte and LSCF-BZCYYb cathode. The results indicate that the addition of only 10 wt% YSZ to the support improves the microstructure by preventing severe Ni grain growth, thereby providing higher density of active sites at the support/AFL interface and more uniform distribution of fuel gas to the active sites. The polarization resistance of the optimized cell with 10 wt% YSZ in the support is lower than the fully Ni supported cell. The promising results of this study reveal that Ni-YSZ can be a suitable support for proton conducting fuel cells.