Enhanced performance of solid oxide fuel cells by introducing a transition layer between nanostructured cathode and electrolyte

A transition layer between Ce0.8Sm0.2O2−δ (SDC) electrolyte and Sr0.8Co0.8Fe0.2O3−δ (SCF0.8) nano cathode was introduced to improve electrochemical performances of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). A calcining - stripping method was used to introduce the transition layer on the SDC electrolyte. Then a nano porous cathode was coated on the transition layer. The microstructure of the nano cathode was optimized by adjusting its calcining temperature. It was found that the transition layer played a vital role in improving the electrochemical performances of the nanostructured cathode by enhancing the interface connection between cathode and electrolyte. Good electrochemical performance was obtained as the nano cathode calcined at 700 °C after introducing the transition layer. The polarization resistance of the anode-supported SOFC at 700 °C was significantly reduced from 0.20 Ω cm2 to 0.05 Ω cm2, while the power density of the single cell was increased from 116 to 444 mW cm−2.