Change of an anode's microstructure morphology during the fuel starvation of an anode-supported solid oxide fuel cell

• The redox experiment was conducted to simulate fuel starvation of SOFC.
• 3D microstructure of SOFC porous anode was directly observed by FIB–SEM.
• Microstructural parameters characterizing the anode were quantified.
• Random walk diffusion simulation was employed to quantify tortuosity factor.
• The microstructure evolution during fuel starvation was studied.

A RedOx cycle is one of the most dangerous factors of anode degradation due to microstructure changes. In this paper, the evolution of anode microstructure during a RedOx cycle caused by a fuel starvation process was studied using electrochemical measurements. After a power generation experiment, the anode microstructure was reconstructed using a combination of focused ion beam and scanning electron microscopy (FIB–SEM). The microstructure changes were quantified for parameters such as the tortuosity factor, tripe phase boundary density, volume fraction, connectivity and average grain size. The three dimensional microstructure reconstruction indicated that the fuel starvation condition might cause significant changes in microstructure morphology.