Energy Conversion and Management, Vol.177, 11-18, 2018
YSZ electrolyte support with novel symmetric structure by phase inversion process for solid oxide fuel cells
A symmetric solid oxide fuel cell based on yttrium stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolyte and PrBaMn2O5+delta (PBMO) electrode was developed by phase inversion and infiltration methods. Symmetric electrolyte support composed of two porous backbones and a thin dense layer were obtained by phase inversion and drop-coating techniques. PBMO catalysts were infiltrated into the finger-like pores of the backbone to serve as electrodes. Scanning electron microscopy results show that the cell has a porous symmetric structure with nanosized PBMO catalysts distributed in finger-like microchannels. With this symmetric structure, the anode polarization resistance for the cell decreased by 46% and the cathode polarization resistance decreased by 39% at 800 degrees C. The power outputs were improved by 100% in H-2 and CH4 fuel gas at 800 degrees C. These results imply that optimizing the microstructure of the electrolyte support is a promising approach to increase active surface areas and further improve the cell performance for SOFCs.
Keywords:Solid oxide fuel cell;Phase inversion tape casting;YSZ substrates;Infiltrated perovskite electrodes