Heterogeneous films of ordered CeO2/Ni concentric nanostructures for fuel cell applications

Heterogeneous films of ordered CeO2/Ni concentric nanostructures have been fabricated through template-assisted electrodeposition. The free-standing films of Ni metal (8 mu m thickness) contain ordered arrays of ceria tubes (200 nm OD, 100 nm ID). Ni/CeO2 coaxial nanotubes were also obtained by tuning experimental conditions. The interfacial contact area within the 3-dimensional oxide nanotube/nickel matrix is similar to 100 times greater than 2-dimensional thin films of nickel and ceria of the same area. The use of the film as an anode electrocatalyst/current collector is demonstrated in a solid oxide fuel cell.