Preparation of Cu–Ni/YSZ solid oxide fuel cell anodes using microwave irradiation

A microwave irradiation process is used to deposit Cu nanoparticles on the Ni/YSZ anode of an electrolyte-supported solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). The reaction time in the microwave is only 15 s for the deposition of 6 wt% Cu (with respect to Ni) from a solution of Cu(NO3)2·3H2O and ethylene glycol (HOCH2CH2OH). The morphology of the deposited Cu particles is spherical and the average size of the particles is less than 100 nm. The electrochemical performance of the microwave Cu-coated Ni/YSZ anodes is tested in dry H2 and dry CH4 at 1073 K, and the anodes are characterized with scanning electron microscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and temperature-programmed oxidation. The results indicate that preparation of the anodes by the microwave technique produces similar performance trend as those reported for Cu–Ni/YSZ/CeO2 anodes prepared by impregnation. Specifically, less carbon is formed on the Cu–Ni/YSZ than on conventional Ni/YSZ anodes when exposed to dry methane and the carbon that does form is more reactive.

Research highlights
► Microwave irradiation was used to prepare Cu–Ni/YSZ anodes.
► The method deposits Cu metals directly from its precursor solution.
► Much shorter time (on the order of seconds) was needed to deposit Cu in Ni/YSZ anodes.