Highly Performing Chromate-Based Ceramic Anodes (Y0.7Ca0.3Cr1-xCuxO3-δ) for Low-Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Exploitation of alternative anode materials for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (LT-SOFCs, 350-650 degrees C) is technologically important but remains a major challenge. Here we report a potential ceramic anode Yo(0.7)Ca(0.3)Cr(1-x)Cu(x)O(3-delta) (x = 0, 0.05, 0.12, and 0.20) (YCC) exhibiting relatively high conductivity at low temperatures (<= 650 degrees C) in both fuel and oxidant gas conditions. Additionally, the newly developed composition (YCC12) is structurally stable in reducing and oxidizing gas conditions, indicating its suitability for SOFC anodes. The I-V characteristics and performance of the ceramic anode infiltrated with Ni-(Ce0.9Gd0.1O2-delta)(GDC) were determined using GDC/(La0.6Sr0.4CoO3-delta)(LSC)-based cathode supported SOFCs. High peak power densities of similar to 1.2 W/cm(2) (2.2A/cm(2)), 1 W/cm2 (2.0A/cm(2)), and 0.6 W/cm(2) (1.3 A/cm(2)) were obtained at 600, 550, and 500 degrees C, respectively, in H-2/3% H2O as fuel and air as oxidant. SOFCs showed excellent stability with a low degradation rate of 0.015 V kh(-1) under 0.2 A/cm(2). YCC-based ceramic anodes are therefore critical for the advancement of LT-SOFC technology.