Anode-supported SOFCs based on Sm0.2Ce0.8O2-delta electrolyte thin-films fabricated by co-pressing using microwave combustion synthesized powders

摘要

Decreasing the electrolyte thickness is an effective approach to improve solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) performance for intermediate temperature applications. Sm0.2Ce0.8O2-delta (SDC) powders with low apparent density of 32 +/- 0.3 mg cm(-3) are synthesized by microwave combustion method, and SDC electrolyte films as thin as 10 pm are fabricated by co-pressing the powders onto a porous NiO-SDC anode substrate. Dense SDC electrolyte thin films with grain size of 300-800 nm are achieved at a low co-firing temperature of 1200 degrees C. Single cells based on SDC thin films show peak power densities of 0.86 W cm(-2) at 650 degrees C using 3 vol% humidified H-2 as fuel and ambient air as oxidant. Both the thin thickness of electrolyte films and ultra -fine grained anode structure make contributions to the improved cell performance. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.