Tape Casting of High-Performance Low-Temperature Solid Oxide Cells with Thin La0.8Sr0.2Ga0.8Mg0.2O3-δ Electrolytes and Impregnated Nano Anodes

Low-temperature solid oxide cells (LT-SOCs), operating at 400 to 650 degrees C, have great potential for commercialization since they can provide lower cost and improved long-term durability. Low operating temperature can also enable high round-trip efficiency of SOCs as reversible energy storage devices. This paper describes SrosLa(0.2)TiO(3-alpha) (SLT) anode supported LT-SOC with thin La0.8Sr0.2Ga0.8Mg0.2O3-delta (LSGM) electrolyte made by tape casting, with screen printed La0.6Sr0.4Fe0.8Co0.2O3-delta (LSCF) cathode and impregnated Ni anode. Optimization of the anode functional layers is described; the best anodes had 68 vol % LSGM and 12.3 vol % Ni and yielded maximum power density of 1.6 Wcm(-2) with a cell area specific resistance (ASR) of 0.21 Omega cm(2) at 650 degrees C. Most of the cell ASR was associated with the cathode. Reversible electrolysis and fuel cell operation yielded similar characteristics with both 50% H-2-50% H2O and syngas fuel. Life testing over 500 h showed that the cathode impedance stabilized after an initial break-in period; the ohmic and anode resistances, though relatively small, increased slightly with time.