Facile one-step fabrication of dual-pore anode for planar solid oxide fuel cell by the phase inversion

In this study, an anode-supported planar solid oxide fuel cell with a dual-pore anode is fabricated by the phase-inversion technique. The dual-pore anode with thin sponge-like porous layer and thick finger-like porous layer is fabricated in only one-step, and no pore formers are used in the fabrication process. Small sponge-like pores with fine microstructures offer expanding three-phase boundaries (TPBs) at the electrolyte/anode interface and long finger-like pores provide convenient channels for transporting the fuel gas to the anode reaction sites. Single cell with the dual-pore anode is successfully fabricated, demonstrating the maximum power densities of 0.52, 0.72, 0.87 and 1.15 W cm− 2 at 650, 700, 750 and 800 °C, respectively, with humidified (3% H2O) hydrogen as the fuel and stationary air as the oxidant.

► A dual-pore structure anode is fabricated by a facile and cost-effective phase-inversion in only one-step.
► No pore former is used in the fabrication process.
► Homogeneous sponge-like pores increase the three-phase boundaries at the electrolyte/anode interface.
► Finger-like pores dramatically reduce the gas transport resistance.