Stability and robustness of metal-supported SOFCs

Tubular metal-supported SOFCs with YSZ electrolyte and electrodes comprising porous YSZ backbone and infiltrated Ni and LSM catalysts are operated at 700 °C. Tolerance to five complete anode redox cycles and five very rapid thermal cycles is demonstrated. The power output of a cell with as-infiltrated Ni anode degrades rapidly over 15 h operation. This degradation can be attributed primarily to coarsening of the fine infiltrated Ni particles. A cell in which the infiltrated Ni anode is precoarsened at 800 °C before operation at 700 °C shows dramatically improved stability. Stable operation over 350 h is demonstrated.