Improved SOFC performance with continuously graded anode functional layer

Continuously graded anode functional layers (CG-AFLs) were fabricated on the Ni-YSZ anode substrates by electrophoretic co-deposition (EPD) technique. The microstructure and composition of the CC-AFLs were investigated. The result showed that uniform and graded structure in AFL was obtained. The single cells were constructed on the basis of CG-AFLs, with a maximum output power density greater than 1.10 W cm(-2) obtained at 800 degrees C for the cell with 9.8 mu m-thick CG-AFL. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) indicated that the excellent cell performance was contributed to the enlargement of triple phase boundary (TPB) by adding the CG-AFL. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.