Enhanced thermal stability of SOFC anodes made with CeO2-ZrO2 solutions

The effect on solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) anode performance of replacing CeO2 with a Ce0.6Zr0.4O2 solid solution in Cu-ceria-yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) composites was investigated. In both cases, the electrode composites were made by impregnation of porous YSZ with nitrate salts. Calcination of the CeO2 to 1273 K, prior to the addition of Cu, resulted in a large decrease in anode performance, with the anode impedance at 973 K in H-2 increasing from approximately 0.5 Omega cm(2) to greater than 2 Omega cm(2). Similar high-temperature treatment of Cu-Ce0.6Zr0.4O2-YSZ composites had much less effect on anode performance. (c) 2005 The Electrochemical Society.