A Novel Method to Purposely Modify the Anode/Electrolyte Interface in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

A novel method is proposed to modify the Ni-yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) anode/electrolyte interface with Ni-Sm0.2Ce0.8O2-delta (SDC) or SDC composite particles. Scanning electron microscopy results confirm that nano-sized NiO-SDC particles are only loaded at the anode/electrolyte interface rather than the whole NiO-YSZ support. With the addition of the Ni-SDC composite, the peak power density of the Ni-YSZ anode increases by 24.7% and 18.8% in wet hydrogen and methane at 750 degrees C, respectively. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results show that these improvements are attributed to the promotion of charge transfer and gas diffusion with the addition of the Ni-SDC composite. Substituting the Ni-SDC composite with pure SDC can further improve the electroactivity of the Ni-YSZ anode. The peak power density of the single cell with the Ni-YSZ/SDC anode rises by 41.7% and 43.4% compared with that of the Ni-YSZ anode in wet hydrogen and methane at 750 degrees C, respectively.