Micro-tubular solid oxide fuel cells fabricated by phase-inversion method

A novel structured micro-tubular solid oxide fuel cell (MT-SOFC) has been fabricated by combining a phase-inversion, dip-coating and high temperature co-sintering process with impregnation of the electrode catalyst into a porous electrode matrix. The asymmetric porous anode made by phase-inversion is divided into two different layers, a thick fuel delivery layer with large finger-like pores and a thin function layer with small finger-like pores. The MT-SOFC demonstrates maximum power densities of 0.44, 0.54, 0.65 and 0.78 W/cm2 at 650, 700, 750 and 800 °C, respectively with H2–15%H2O as fuel and ambient air as oxidant. Combining the power output with the quick start-up behavior, novel structured MT-SOFC offers a potential solution for rapid start-up high performance power devices.