Material and Fabrication Challenges in the Development of Monolithic Solid Oxide Fuel Cells.

摘要

Monolithic solid oxide fuel cells (MSOFCs) are presently under development for a variety of practical applications (e.g., advanced space and aerospace power systems, electric utility power generation). The MSOFC is composed of a honeycomb of very small cells of 1 to 2 mm in diameter. The walls of the honeycomb are formed from thin (25 to 100 mu m) ceramic layers of cell components: cathode (Sr-doped LaMnO3), anode (Ni/Y2O3-ZrO2cermet), electrolyte (Y2O3-stabilized ZrO2), and interconnect (doped LaCrO3) materials. These walls form the passages for fuel and oxidant gases. The MSOFC will convert hydrogen or hydrocarbon fuels to DC power at more than 50% efficiency and can achieve considerably higher energy densities than many other technologies. Successful fabrication of an MSOFC depends on incorporating the materials into a self-supporting structure at a higher sintering temperature. A fabrication scheme for the MSOFC must incorporate each material such that no conditions of any fabrication step will destroy desired material characteristics of any of the component layers. Material characteristics and processing parameters must be tailored and controlled to fabricate the MSOFC with desired properties. This paper discusses material properties, material requirements, and fabrication issues in the development of the MSOFC. 12 refs., 9 figs.