Fabrication and characterization of a cathode-support solid oxide fuel cell by tape casting and lamination

• Cathode-support SOFCs were fabricated by tape-casting, lamination and co-sintering.
• Weight ratio of pore-former was optimized by investigating the performance of symmetrical cells.
• The pore size distribution and porosity of cathode-support substrate were measured.
• Single cell was obtained to evaluate the properties of half cathode-support cell.

(La0.8Sr0.2)0.95MnO3 (LSM95) cathode supported Zr0.89Sc0.1Ce0.01O2−x (SSZ) electrolytes with LSM-SSZ active cathode layers were fabricated using the tape-casting, lamination and co-sintering techniques. The loadings of pore-formers in the cathode support layers and the active cathode layers were optimized through impedance measurement on symmetrical cathode fuel cells. The pore size distribution and porosity of cathode-support substrates were measured using the mercury intrusion porosimetry. The open circuit voltage and maximum power density of cathode-support solid oxide fuel cells with NiO/SSZ cermet anodes were 1.10 V and 0.325 W cm−2 at 750 °C with H2 as fuels and air as oxidants.