Interfacial material for solid oxide fuel cell

Patent · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1999

OSTI ID:872706

Baozhen, Li ^[1]; Ruka, Roswell J ^[2]; Singhal, Subhash C ^[3]

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1. Essex Junction, VT
2. Pittsburgh, PA
3. Murrysville, PA

Solid oxide fuel cells having improved low-temperature operation are disclosed. In one embodiment, an interfacial layer of terbia-stabilized zirconia is located between the air electrode and electrolyte of the solid oxide fuel cell. The interfacial layer provides a barrier which controls interaction between the air electrode and electrolyte. The interfacial layer also reduces polarization loss through the reduction of the air electrode/electrolyte interfacial electrical resistance. In another embodiment, the solid oxide fuel cell comprises a scandia-stabilized zirconia electrolyte having high electrical conductivity. The scandia-stabilized zirconia electrolyte may be provided as a very thin layer in order to reduce resistance. The scandia-stabilized electrolyte is preferably used in combination with the terbia-stabilized interfacial layer. The solid oxide fuel cells are operable over wider temperature ranges and wider temperature gradients in comparison with conventional fuel cells.

• Research Organization: Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: FC21-91MC28055
• Assignee: Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation (Orlando, FL)
• Patent Number(s): US 5993989
• OSTI ID: 872706
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

interfacial
material
solid
oxide
fuel
cell
cells
improved
low-temperature
operation
disclosed
embodiment
layer
terbia-stabilized
zirconia
located
air
electrode
electrolyte
provides
barrier
controls
interaction
reduces
polarization
loss
reduction
electrical
resistance
comprises
scandia-stabilized
conductivity
provided
reduce
preferably
combination
operable
wider
temperature
ranges
gradients
comparison
conventional
temperature ranges
interfacial layer
fuel cell
temperature operation
cell comprises
temperature gradient
air electrode
temperature range
fuel cells
oxide fuel
solid oxide
electrical resistance
electrical conductivity
stabilized zirconia
zirconia electrolyte
layer provides
temperature gradients
conventional fuel
terbia-stabilized zirconia
improved low-temperature
low-temperature operation
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