The effect of cerium surface treated ferritic stainless steel current collectors on the performance of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC)

Laboratory scale solid oxide fuel cells (“button” cells) were operated with untreated or cerium surface treated Fe–22Cr–0.5Mn (composition by weight percent, wt%) ferritic stainless steel current collectors attached to the cathode. After a brief stabilization (or “burn-in”) period, the power density of a cell with the untreated current collector rapidly decreased. By contrast, there was little degradation in power density during testing of cells with the cerium surface treated current collectors. The difference in degradation was attributed to differences in Cr build-up within the cathode. It should be emphasized that the duration of the tests were quite short and longer duration testing is required, however, this initial assessment indicates the treatment may benefit the performance of SOFC with steel interconnects.