Improved SOFC performance with continuously graded anode functional layer

Continuously graded anode functional layers (CG-AFLs) were fabricated on the Ni–YSZ anode substrates by electrophoretic co-deposition (EPD) technique. The microstructure and composition of the CG-AFLs were investigated. The result showed that uniform and graded structure in AFL was obtained. The single cells were constructed on the basis of CG-AFLs, with a maximum output power density greater than 1.10 W cm−2 obtained at 800 °C for the cell with 9.8 μm-thick CG-AFL. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) indicated that the excellent cell performance was contributed to the enlargement of triple phase boundary (TPB) by adding the CG-AFL.