High-Performance Ultrathin Solid Oxide Fuel Cells for Low-Temperature Operation

Abstract

Thin-film solid oxide fuel cell ͑SOFC͒ structures containing electrolyte membranes 50-150 nm thick were fabricated with the help of sputtering, lithography, and etching. The submicrometer SOFCs were made of yttria-stabilized zirconia ͑YSZ͒ or YSZ/ gadolinium-doped ceria composites electrolyte and 80 nm porous Pt as cathode and anode. The peak power densities were 200 and 400 mW/cm 2 at 350 and 400°C, respectively. The high power densities achieved are not only due to the reduction of electrolyte thickness but also to the high charge-transfer reaction rates at the interfaces between the nanoporous electrodes ͑cathode and/or anode͒ and the nanocrystalline thin electrolyte.

Porous La0.6Sr0.4CoO3−δ thin film cathodes for large area micro solid oxide fuel cell power generators

“…As earlier mentioned, Figure 8 also includes ASR values for two different porous Pt/YSZ interfaces: (i) based on Pt/YSZ/Pt membranes under real µSOFC operating conditions from three different research groups [4,8,9]; (ii) based on porous Pt films deposited on YSZ single crystal as reported by Ryll et al [17].…”

“…The micro SOFC (µSOFC) concept is based on the development of ultrathin electrolytes supported on low thermal mass structures [3][4][5][6][7][8][9]. This combination keeps the main benefits of SOFC technology, i.e.…”

The research of crystal structure and electrical properties of a new electrolyte material: Scandia and Holmia stabilized Zirconia

“…Therefore 7Sc1HoSZ will be the competitive SOFC electrolyte material when the working temperature of SOFC could decrease to about 600°C. Actually, in 2007, Fritz B. Prinz 28) fabricated a kind of ultrathin nanocrystalline yttriastabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolyte film with the help of sputtering. Using this kind of electrolyte film the working temperature could be lowered to 350 to 400°C.…”

Fabrication and characterization of YSZ thin films for SOFC application

“…For example, Huang et al showed cell performance of 400 mW cm ¹2 at 400°C using 50 nm thick yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolyte fabricated on Si substrate. 18) Tsuchiya, et al, overcame the drawback of¯-SOFC, small cell area, and showed the 4 © 4 cm self-standing 100 nm electrolyte by utilizing thin metal grid on the electrolyte. 19) Understanding the physical and electrochemical properties of sputtered YSZ thin film is thus of importance for further development of¯-SOFC.…”