Fabrication of anode-supported Sc2O3-stabilized-ZrO2 electrolyte micro-tubular Solid Oxide Fuel Cell by phase-inversion and dip-coating

An anode-supported Sc2O3-stabilized-ZrO2 (ScSZ) electrolyte micro-tubular solid oxide fuel cell (MT-SOFC) with a cell configuration of Ni-YSZ|Ni-ScSZ|ScSZ|LSM-ScSZ|LSM has been prepared by a combination of phase-inversion and dip-coating technology. ScSZ is adopted as the electrolyte, decreasing the ohmic polarization of the cell. Porous Ni-YSZ micro-tubular anode substrate with a continuously transitional structure is prepared by the phase-inversion, and no pore former is used in the fabricating process. Ni-ScSZ is introduced between ScSZ electrolyte and Ni-YSZ micro-tubular anode substrate. LSM-ScSZ composite cathode was prepared by the bush-painting method. Single cell is successfully fabricated, exhibiting maximum power densities of 0.38, 0.54, 0.72 and 1.0 W cm− 2 at 650, 700, 750 and 800 °C, respectively, with humidified (3%H2O) hydrogen as fuel and stationary air as oxidant.

► The microtubular SOFC exhibits unique anode microstructure.
► ScSZ electrolyte dramatically decreases the ohmic polarization.
► Ni-ScSZ AFL is introduced between ScSZ electrolyte and Ni-YSZ anode substrate.
► The cell shows high performance at 650 °C using a LSM cathode.