Boosting solid oxide fuel cell performance via electrolyte thickness reduction and cathode infiltration

Park, Beom-Kyeong; Barnett, Scott A.

doi:10.1039/d0ta04280c

Boosting solid oxide fuel cell performance via electrolyte thickness reduction and cathode infiltration

Journal Article · Tue May 19 00:00:00 EDT 2020 · Journal of Materials Chemistry. A

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1039/d0ta04280c· OSTI ID:2229705

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Northwestern University, Evanston, IL (United States); Northwestern University
Northwestern University, Evanston, IL (United States)

Increasing the power density and reducing the operating temperature of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) is important for improving commercial viability. Here we discuss two strategies for achieving such improvements in Ni–YSZ supported SOFCs – electrolyte thickness reduction and cathode infiltration. Microstructural and electrochemical results are presented showing the effect of reducing YSZ/GDC electrolyte thickness from 8 to 2.5 μm, and the effect of PrO_x infiltration into the LSCF–GDC cathode. Both of these measures are effective, particularly at lower temperatures, leading to an increase in the maximum power density at 650 °C from 0.4 to 0.95 W cm^–2, for example. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy utilizing subtractive analysis shows that PrO_x enhances the cathode charge transfer process. Reducing the electrolyte thickness reduces not only the cell ohmic resistance but also the electrode polarization resistance. Furthermore, the latter effect appears to be an artifact associated with a slight increase in the steam partial pressure at the anode due to minor gas leakage across the thinner electrolyte.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Northwestern University, Evanston, IL (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Office of Sustainable Transportation. Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technologies Office (HFTO)

Grant/Contract Number:: EE0008079

OSTI ID:: 2229705

Journal Information:: Journal of Materials Chemistry. A, Journal Name: Journal of Materials Chemistry. A Journal Issue: 23 Vol. 8; ISSN 2050-7488

Publisher:: Royal Society of ChemistryCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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