Performance evaluation of an anode-supported solid oxide fuel cell with Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9 impregnated GdBaCo2O5+δ cathode

The performance of an anode-supported solid oxide fuel cell with nanosized Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9 (SDC) impregnated GdBaCo2O5+δ (GBCO) cathode is evaluated under various operation conditions. An SDC interlayer is applied between 8 mol% yttria-stabilized zirconia (8YSZ) electrolyte and cathode to prevent undesired chemical reaction. At 700 °C, the fuel cell yields a maximum power density of 790 mW cm−2 when using simulated air as oxidant, which is promoted to 1100 mW cm−2 in oxygen flow. The activation energies of ohmic resistance are smaller than that of bulk YSZ due to non-YSZ contribution. Electrode polarization resistance changes with fuel cell voltage while ohmic resistance nearly remains constant. The fuel cell output is mainly determined by the electrode polarization.

► Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9 impregnated GdBaCo2O5+δ was used as cathode of anode supported SOFC.
► A Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9 buffer layer was deposited on YSZ to block the chemical reactions.
► The SOFC performance was investigated under various operation conditions.
►  Fuel cell performance was mainly controlled by the electrode polarization.