Testing of a cathode fabricated by painting with a brush pen for anode-supported tubular solid oxide fuel cells

We have studied the properties of a cathode fabricated by painting with a brush pen for use with anode-supported tubular solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). The porous cathode connects well with the electrolyte. A preliminary examination of a single tubular cell, consisting of a Ni-YSZ anode support tube, a Ni-ScSZ anode functional layer, a ScSZ electrolyte film, and a LSM-ScSZ cathode fabricated by painting with a brush pen, has been carried out, and an improved performance is obtained. The ohmic resistance of the cathode side clearly decreases, falling to a value only 37% of that of the comparable cathode made by dip-coating at 850 degrees C. The single cell with the painted cathode generates a maximum power density of 405 mW cm(-2) at 850 degrees C, when operating with humidified hydrogen. (C) 2009 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.