Three-dimensional modeling of anode-supported planar SOFC with different shapes of corrugated electrolytes

This study intends to theoretically analyze the effects of different shapes of corrugated electrolytes on cell performance. On the basis of the mesoscale electrode-electrolyte interface modification theory, corrugated electrolytes with different shapes are applied to conventional anode-supported planar solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). Three-dimensional models of solid oxide fuel cells with electrolytes corrugated in different shapes were developed. For the purpose of further understanding the influence mechanism of the corrugated electrolyte on the cell, we analyze the influence of the corrugated electrolyte on the overall performance of the cell. Furthermore, the local gas distribution, concentration polarization, activation polarization, exchange current density and electron current density are discussed. Results indicate that the corrugated electrolyte structure reduces the local exchange current density, while the extension of the activation reaction zone results in an increase in the overall charge transfer, which leads to the improvement of cell performance. And for different corrugated shapes, the area expansion degree of corrugated electrolyte is proportional to the degree of cell performance improvement. Under the operating voltage of 0.7 V, the average current density improvement percentage of the rectangular corrugated electrolyte with a spreading factor of 1.47 is 38.01%.