Improving solid oxide fuel cells with yttria-doped ceria interlayers by atomic layer deposition

The performance of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) was significantly enhanced through surface modification of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolyte by doped ceria interlayers. Ultra-thin yttria-doped-ceria (YDC) layers were fabricated by atomic layer deposition (ALD). The doping concentrations of Y2O3 were finely tuned by changing the Ce : Y pulsing ratios. YDC layers were inserted between bulk YSZ electrolyte and a porous Pt cathode. The performance of SOFCs with different doping concentrations of YDC interlayers was measured using the linear sweep voltammetry method at operating temperatures between 300 and 500 degrees C. The fuel cell performance was enhanced by a factor of 2-3.6 within the Y2O3 doping range of 12-17 M%. The enhanced performance was attributed to an increased oxide ion incorporation rate at the electrode/electrolyte interface.