Characterization of Anode-Supported Solid Oxide Fuel Cells With PSCF Cathode

A systematic study was initiated of anode-supported single cells with Pr0.58Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3−δ (PSCF) cathode. These solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) were characterized by electrochemical and diffusion and permeation measurements. In particular, the influence of various sintering temperatures of the cathode and various types of Ce0.8Gd0.2O2−δ (CGO) interlayer was investigated in more detail. Results from electrochemical measurements performed between 650°C and 800°C showed that the performance of anode-supported SOFCs with screen-printed porous CGO interlayer and a PSCF cathode was excellent. Even at 650°C, the area-specific resistance was lower than 0.5Ωcm2. The microstructure of the cathode and the performance of this type of SOFC were not obviously affected by variations in the sintering temperature of the cathode. Higher electrochemical performance, in particular, in the temperature range 650–750°C, was achieved by applying a thin and dense CGO interlayer using reactive sputtering or electron beam physical vapor deposition.

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Synthesis and Characterization of Nanocrystalline La0.65Sr0.3 MnO3 and La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 Cathode Powders by Auto-ignition Technique for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC)

Journal of New Materials for Electrochemical Systems ◽

10.14447/jnmes.v19i2.332 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 19 (2) ◽

pp. 065-076

Author(s):

G. N. Almutairi ◽

M. Ghouse ◽

Y. M. Alyousef ◽

F. S. Alenazey

Keyword(s):

Fuel Cells ◽

Solid Oxide Fuel Cells ◽

High Efficiency ◽

Single Cells ◽

Average Crystallite Size ◽

Solid Oxide ◽

Oxide Fuel ◽

Functional Layer ◽

Auto Combustion

Solid Oxide fuel Cells (SOFCs) are considered to be one of the most promising energy conversion devices that have several advantages such as high efficiency, system compactness and low environmental pollution. In the present investigation La0.65Sr0.3MnO3 (LSM-1) and La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 (LSM-2) nanoceramic powders were prepared by citrate-nitrate route of auto-combustion with citrate to nitrate (c/n) ratio 0.50 to see the effect of these cathode powders on the performance of SOFC cells. The as prepared powder were calcined at 900oC for 4hrs using the Thermolyne 47900 furnace to remove carboneous residues and characterized them using SEM / EDS, XRD, TGA techniques and their results are presented . From calculations using Debye Scherrer’s equation, the average crystallite size of the powders were found to be around 16nm. The SEM indicates the particle sizes are within the range of around 200nm.The surface area of the calcined LSM-2 powder was found to be ~21m2/g. The TGA studies indicate the completion of combustion since there was no further weight loss after reaching temperature of ~ 650oC. Also, Electrochemical characterization of LSM cathode powders were carried out by coating these powders (as cathode functional layer CFL-Bottom and current collector layer CL- Top) using Screen printing on the SOFC half cells (NiO-YSZ+YSZ) procured from CGCRI, Kolkata, India with a cell size of 16mm dia x1.6mm and tested these cells with H2-O2 at 750-800oC with the flow rates of 100-200 sccm. The results of the performances of single cells are presented in this paper. The Current density and powder density values obtained are 0.80A/cm2 (at 0.7V) and 0.55 W/cm2 at 800oC with 200 sccm of hydrogen and oxygen respectively. The area surface resistance (ASR) values obtained were ~0.50 Ωcm2 at 0.7V at 800oC.

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