Synthesis of Octahedral-Shaped NiO and Approaches to an Anode Material of Manufactured Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Using the Decalcomania Method

Haeran Cho,Byung-Hyun Choi,Sun-Min Park,Misook Kang,Huryul Lee

doi:10.1155/2013/640146

Abstract

Micrometer-sized and octahedral-shaped NiO particles were synthesized by microwave thermal treatment at 300 watt power for 15 min in a microwave chamber to be used as an anode material in solid oxide fuel cells. SEM image and particle size distribution revealed near-perfect octahedral NiO microparticle with sizes ranging from 4.0~11.0 μm. The anode functional layer (AFL, 60 wt% NiO synthesized: commercial 40 wt% YSZ), electrolyte (commercial Yttria-stabilized zirconia, YSZ), and cathode (commercial La0.8Sr0.2MnO3, LSM) layers were manufactured using the decalcomania method on a porous anode support, sequentially. The sintered electrolyte at 1450°C for 2 h using the decalcomania method was dense and had a thickness of about 10 μm. The cathode was sintered at 1250°C for 2 h, and it was porous. Using humidified hydrogen as a fuel, a coin cell with a 15 μm thick anode functional layer exhibited maximum power densities of 0.28, 0.38, and 0.65 W/cm2at 700, 750, and 800°C, respectively. Otherwise, when a commercial YSZ anode functional layer was used, the maximum power density was 0.55 W/cm2at 800°C.

Highlights

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) consist entirely of metal oxides, NiO, YSZ, and LSM and have advantages of high efficiency and durability without expensive catalysts
We believe in the microwave chamber that ROR or H2O elimination rapidly induces a combination between each Ni alkoxide or hydroxide
The full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the peak at 2 theta = 43.58 was estimated using Scherrer’s equation [20] (t = 0.9λ/β cos θ, where λ is the wavelength of incident X-rays, β the FWHM height in radians, and θ the diffraction angle)

Summary

Introduction

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) consist entirely of metal oxides, NiO, YSZ, and LSM and have advantages of high efficiency and durability without expensive catalysts. In order to solve these problems, many researchers have studied means of maximizing reaction areas by changing stack sizes and developing new materials [1,2,3,4,5]. In many of these areas, SOFC fabrication methods are generally considered to be limiting factors based on considerations of automation and scalability [6]. This method involves the transfer of designs from specially prepared paper to a wood or glass or metal surface. The top and cross-section morphologies of a single cell were evaluated, and the electrochemical properties and the output of an SOFC single cell were measured under optimum conditions

Experimental

Results and Discussion

Rohmic

Conclusions