Long-term stability of metal-supported solid oxide fuel cells employing infiltrated electrodes

• Both temperatures and current densities affect the cell stability.
• The degradation was mainly caused by the morphological change of the anode.
• A degradation rate of 1.3% kh−1 was found during the 1500 h test at 650 °C.

Here, stability of the metal-supported solid oxide fuel cell (MS-SOFC) with Ni–Ce0.8Sm0.2O2−δ (SDC) infiltrated 430L anode and La0.6Sr0.4Fe0.9Sc0.1O3−δ (LSFSc) infiltrated scandia-stabilized zirconia (SSZ) cathode is evaluated. It is found that the degradation rate defined as the voltage loss during a fixed period is faster at higher operation temperatures and larger current densities. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectra (EDS) analysis indicate that the degradation is mainly caused by the morphological change of the anode while metal element diffusion between Ni catalyst and 430L substrate contributes little. A 1500 h durability test measured at 650 °C and 0.9 A cm−2 shows a degradation rate of 1.3% kh−1 and the voltage decrease is mainly found in the initial 500 h.