Preparation of Cu–Ni/YSZ solid oxide fuel cell anodes using microwave irradiation

Abstract

A microwave irradiation process is used to deposit Cu nanoparticles on the Ni/YSZ anode of an electrolyte-supported solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). The reaction time in the microwave is only 15 s for the deposition of 6 wt% Cu (with respect to Ni) from a solution of Cu(NO 3) 2·3H 2O and ethylene glycol (HOCH 2CH 2OH). The morphology of the deposited Cu particles is spherical and the average size of the particles is less than 100 nm. The electrochemical performance of the microwave Cu-coated Ni/YSZ anodes is tested in dry H 2 and dry CH 4 at 1073 K, and the anodes are characterized with scanning electron microscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and temperature-programmed oxidation. The results indicate that preparation of the anodes by the microwave technique produces similar performance trend as those reported for Cu–Ni/YSZ/CeO 2 anodes prepared by impregnation. Specifically, less carbon is formed on the Cu–Ni/YSZ than on conventional Ni/YSZ anodes when exposed to dry methane and the carbon that does form is more reactive.