Optimization of strontium molybdate based composite anode for solid oxide fuel cells

Perovskite-type SrMoO3 (SMO) is composited with commonly used electrolytes Y0.08Zr0.92O2 (YSZ), La0.8Sr0.2Ga0.8Mg0.2O3 (LSGM) and Gd0.1Ce0.9O2 (GDC) to form dual-phase materials, which are characterized as potential anode materials for solid oxide fuel cells. Introduction of any of the electrolytes YSZ, LSGM and GDC can remarkably enhance the electrochemical performance of SrMoO3. The polarization resistance of the composite anode in a symmetrical cell decreases in the sequence of SMO-LSGM, SMO-YSZ and SMO-GDC. The content of GDC in SMO-xGDC composite anode has a considerable effect on the catalytic activity of the electrode. The SMO-60GDC composite shows the lowest polarization resistance of 0.107 Ω cm2 at 850 °C. With SMO-60GDC composite as anode, the maximum power densities of 584, 452 and 257 mW cm−2 are achieved at 900, 850 and 800 °C, respectively, for LSGM electrolyte supported cell with La0.58Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3 as cathode. The cell exhibits considerably stable performance under a constant voltage of 0.71 V at 800 °C in a short-term cycle test.