Fabrication and Evaluation of a Micro-Tubular Solid Oxide Fuel Cell with an Inert Support Using Scandia-Stabilized Zirconia Electrolyte

We have proposed a novel micro-tubular solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) design with an inert support and an integrated current collector for the inner electrode to improve current collection efficiency as well as reduction–oxidation stability of the cell. In this work, a micro-tubular SOFC based on the proposed design was fabricated using scandia-stabilized zirconia (ScSZ) as electrolyte owing to its high ionic conductivity over a wide range of temperatures. Yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), Ni, Ni-ScSZ, strontium-doped lanthanum manganite (LSM)–ScSZ, and LSM were used as the inert support, anode current collector, anode, cathode, and cathode current collector, respectively. The electrochemical performance of the fabricated cell was evaluated at temperatures between 600 and 850°C. Because of the lower ohmic resistance across its components, the cell exhibited good power generation performance at high and intermediate temperatures. Additionally, we confirmed stable operation of the micro-tubular SOFC for over 60 h at 750°C.

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Performance improvement and redox cycling of a micro-tubular solid oxide fuel cell with a porous zirconia support

The performance of a novel micro-tubular solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) with an inert support and an integrated current collector for the inner electrode was improved by controlling its microstructural features. Multi-step dip coating and co-sintering methods were used to fabricate the cell containing porous yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), Ni, Ni–YSZ, YSZ, strontium-doped lanthanum manganite (LSM)–YSZ, and LSM as the inert support, anode current collector, anode, electrolyte, cathode, and cathode current collector, respectively. To enhance gas diffusion through the YSZ support by properly tailoring its porosity, a combination of micro-crystalline cellulose and polymethyl methacrylate pore formers was used. Additionally, the porosity of the Ni current collector was improved and the LSM–YSZ cathode was sufficiently thick for high oxygen reduction activity. Owing to its optimized microstructure, the micro-tubular SOFC delivered excellent power output with maximum power densities of 710, 591, 445, and 316 mW cm⁻² at 850, 800, 750, and 700 °C, respectively. The effect of redox cycling on cell performance was investigated by alternately exposing the anode to fuel and air atmospheres. The cell had good tolerance toward the redox phenomenon with no apparent degradation in its performance up to 10 redox cycles.

Click here to access the full article published in International Journal of Hydrogen Energy.

A previous work related to the above study has been published in Scientific Reports:

Micro-tubular solid oxide fuel cell based on a porous yttria-stabilized zirconia support