The influence of formation features on SOFC electrochemical performance and long-term stability

The design and production features of a solid oxide fuel cell greatly impact its microstructure and performance; however, these factors are frequently omitted in related studies. In this work, the influence of the design and formation factors of a solid oxide fuel cell on its performance and long-term stability is studied. The sintering process of multilayer half-cells is studied by heating microscopy and the optimal sintering strategy is identified. We show here the importance of the sintering strategy and suggest an approach for SOFC design that results in a stable in time performance. The electrochemical performance is evaluated by impedance spectroscopy and the distribution of relaxation times (DRT) technique. It is shown that the absence of the barrier layer leads to a decrease in the SOFC performance by 22.5% as-sintered and continues to drop down during the exposure of 850 degrees C for 400 h. The impregnation of the cathode and anode by Pr(NO3)(3) and Ce(NO3)(3) improves electrochemical performance by 15% and this increase withstands a heat treatment at least for 215 h without any noticeable degradation. The most stable in time performance of the cell with impregnated electrodes and the barrier layer is 515.3 mW x cm(-2) (H-2 + 3% H2O used as fuel, air + 3% H2O as oxidizer). [GRAPHICS] .

Automated summary

This study investigates the influence of the design and formation factors of a solid oxide fuel cell on its performance and stability. The sintering strategy and the presence of a barrier layer are found to be crucial for achieving stable performance. Impregnation of the cathode and anode improves electrochemical performance, while the absence of a barrier layer leads to a decrease in performance.