Combined electrochemical and X-ray tomography study of the high temperature evolution of Nickel - Yttria Stabilized Zirconia solid oxide fuel cell anodes

Accelerated ageing of Ni-Yttria Stabilized Zirconia (YSZ) anode functional layers (AFLs) in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) is carried out at 1000-1200 °C, the resulting morphological changes are investigated using transmission X-ray microscopy (TXM), and properties are characterized using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Prior to ageing, the as prepared NiO-YSZ AFLs are reduced to Ni-YSZ and then aged at 1100 °C for 100 h in order to eliminate early-stage morphological changes. Measured particle size and three phase boundary (TPB) density changes with ageing time and temperature are fit reasonably well using a power-law coarsening model. This model is also used in conjunction with an electrochemical model to predict changes in the anode charge-transfer polarization resistance. The models are used to make predictions of the structural and electrochemical performance evolution of these Ni-YSZ anodes, for cells operated long-term at normal (700-850 °C) operating temperatures. Additional experiments to verify the model predictions are suggested.