Effect of anode thickness and Cu content on consolidation and performance of planar copper-based anode-supported SOFC. (27th April 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: De Marco, Vincenzo; Iannaci, Alessandro; Rashid, Saqib; Sglavo, Vincenzo M.
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 42:Number 17(2017)
• Page Start: 12543
• Page End: 12550
• Publication Date: 2017-04-27
• Subjects: Planar intermediate temperature–SOFC -- Copper-based anode -- Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy -- Co-sintering; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2017.03.221
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: Planar, Cu-containing Gadolinia-doped ceria anode-supported solid oxide fuel cells to be used at intermediate temperature (500–750 °C) were produced in the present work. The Intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells were fabricated using Li2 O as sintering aid for Gadolinia-doped ceria, varying the anode-to-electrolyte thickness ratio (r) from 2 to 10 and the CuO content in the anode from 45 vol% to 55 vol%. Co-sintering of the thermo-pressed green cells was carried out at 900 °C for 3 h. The electrolyte densification was favoured by increasing the r value, this being accounted for the enhanced compressive stresses induced by the supporting anode on the electrolyte upon sintering. Larger CuO content positively influences the overall cell performance, due to the improved electronic conductivity of the anode. Nevertheless, CuO concentration cannot exceed 50 vol% because of the tensile stresses (and corresponding flaws) generated in the electrolyte for larger amount. IT-SOFC containing 50 vol% CuO was characterized by an Open Circuit Voltage ≈0.82 V and a maximum power density of 200 mW cm −2 at 700 °C. Highlights: SOFC consisting of Cu-containing anode/ceria electrolyte can be produced at 900 °C. Larger anode/electrolyte thickness ratio helps electrolyte densification. Compact electrolyte is obtained at 900 °C using 45–50 vol% CuO-containing anode. Cell with 50 vol% CuO-GDC thick anode reaches power of 200 mW/cm 2 at 700 °C.