Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-2plfb Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-22T23:54:03.513Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Solid Oxide Fuel Cell with Nanostructured Fuel Electrode

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2011

Syed Asif Ansar  and
Zeynep Ilhan
Syed Asif Ansar
Affiliation:
asif.syed@dlr.de, German Aerospace Center, Institute for Technical Thermodynamics, Pfaffenwaldring 38-40, Stuttgart, 70560, Germany
Zeynep Ilhan
Affiliation:
Zeynep.Ilhan@dlr.de, German Aerospace Center, Stuttgart, 70560, Germany
Get access

Abstract

Nanostructured YSZ+NiO anodes (fuel electrode) for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) were developed by plasma spraying. Influence of processing parameters was correlated with deposit microstructure and properties. During particle in-flight with in the plasma jet, the high temperatures of plasma resulted in an increase in average crystallite size; the nanostructure was, however, conserved. Anodes with well distributed finely porous nanostructure exhibiting high gas permeability, suitable high temperature electronic conductivity, enhanced triple phase boundaries and catalytic activity were produced by controlling plasma enthalpy and velocity. Properties of nanostructured anodes were compared with conventional ones. At room temperature the permeability of nanostructured anodes was an order of magnitude higher than their conventional counter parts whereas in-plane conductivity at 800°C in reducing atmosphere of former was 4% higher than that of the latter. Electrochemical performance of optimized nanostructured anode was compared with conventional NiO+YSZ anodes by testing full cells at 800°C. 9.5 mol% YSZ electrolyte and LSM cathode were deposited onto these anodes for electrochemical testing in static and dynamic conditions. Impedance spectroscopy measurements were performed to collect data on polarization resistance and catalytic behavior of anode layers. Gas and temperature variation on both cells was performed and data was compared. It was established that enlarged reaction zone provided by high specific surface area of nanostructured anodes and finely porous microstructure led to lower activation and concentration polarizations and enhanced cell performance by more than 30% compared to conventional cells. During redox (oxidation and reduction of nickel in anode electrode) cycling the cell composed of nanostructured anode exhibited lower degradation.

Keywords

nanostructureplasma depositionNi
Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 1023: Symposium JJ – Functional Nanoscale Ceramics for Energy Systems , 2007 , 1023-JJ02-04
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2007

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Singhal, S.C., Kendall, K., High temperature solid oxide fuel cells: Fundamentals, design and applications, Elsevier 2003.Google Scholar
2. Minh, N.Q., Takahashi, T., Science and technology of ceramics fuel cells, Elsevier, 1995.Google Scholar
3.Thermal spraying, (pub.) American Welding Soc., Miami, USA, 1985.Google Scholar
4. Hand book of thermal spray technology, (ed.) Davis, J.R., (pub.) ASM International, USA, 2004.Google Scholar
5. Zheng, R., Zhou, X.M, Wang, S.R, Wen, T.L, Ding, C.X, A study of Ni + 8YSZ/8YSZ/La0.6Sr0.4CoO3–δ ITSOFC fabricated by atmospheric plasma spraying. J. Power Sources, Vol. 140 (2), !2005, p. 217–225.Google Scholar
6. Gitzhofer, F., Boulos, M.I, Heberlein, J., Henne, R., Ishigaki, H., Yoshida, T., Integrated fabrication processes for solid-oxide fuel cells using thermal plasma spray technology", MRS Bulletin, 25 (7), 2000, p.38–42.Google Scholar
7. Will, J., Mitterdorfer, A., Kleinlogel, C., Perednis, D., Gauckler, L.J, Fabrication of thin electrolytes for second generation solid oxide fuel cells, Solid State Ionics, Vol 131, 2000, p. 79–96.Google Scholar
8. , Weckmann, Syed, A., Ilhan, Z., Arnold, J., Development of Porous Anode Layers for the Solid Oxide Fuel Cell by Plasma Spraying, J. Therm. Spray Technol., 2006, in press.Google Scholar
9. Zhu, W.Z, Deevi, S.C, A review on the status of anode materials for solid oxide fuel cells, Mat. Sc. & Eng. A, 362, 2003, p. 228–239.Google Scholar
10. Waldbillig, D., Wood, A., Ivey, D.G, Thermal analysis of the cyclic reduction and oxidation behaviour of SOFC anodes, J. Power Sources, Vol. 145 (2), 2005, 206.Google Scholar
11. , Schiller, Henne, R., Lang, M., Ruckdäschel, R., Schaper, S., Development of vacuum plasma sprayed thin-film SOFC for reduced operating temperature. Fuel Cells Bulletin, 21, 2000, p. 7–12.Google Scholar
12. Syed, A.A, Ilhan, Z., Weckmann, H., Arnold, J., Schiller, G., Improving plasma sprayed YSZ coatings for SOFC electrolytes, J. Therm. Spray. Technol., 2006, in press.Google Scholar
13.DIN ISO 4022: Permeable sinter metals - evaluation of the specific permeability. Berlin, 1990 (in German)Google Scholar
14.Mould list; High porous sintered Bronze. Publication of GKN Sinter Metals, Radevormwald, Germany, 2005 Google Scholar
15. Kholwad, T., “Electrical and Electrochemical characterization of vacuum plasma sprayed functional layers in solid oxide fuel cells”, Master Thesis, DLR, BMW, University of Applied Sciences Offenburg, 2005.Google Scholar
16. Pohl, S.E, “Fabrication and leak test of plasma-sprayed YSZ electrolytes and cells for SOFC”, Master Thesis, DLR and University of Hanover, 2001, (in German).Google Scholar
17. Virkar, A.V, Chen, J., Tanner, C.W, Kim, J.W, The role of electrode microstructure on activation and concentration polarization in solid oxide fuel cells, Solid State Ionics, 131, 2000, p. 189–198.Google Scholar
18. Kenjo, T., Nishiya, M., LaMnO3 air cathodes containing ZrO2 electrolyte for high temperature solid oxide fuel cells, Solid State Ionics, 57, 1992, p. 295–302.Google Scholar
19. Deng, H., Zhou, M., Abeles, B., Diffusion-reaction in mixed ionic-electronic solid oxide membranes with porous electrodes, Solid State Ionics, 74, 1994, p. 75–84.Google Scholar