Fabrication of composite SOFC anodes

Polarized electrochemical vapour deposition (PEVD) was used to fabricate composite anodes for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) containing nearly 100% metal by coating a porous metallic anode. Densification of the metallic electrode during deposition is a problem; however, densification can be slowed by lowering the deposition temperature. Once in place the film, which appears to be cubic YSZ, offers many potential advantages including acting as a protective barrier allowing operation of the cell at higher temperatures and on fuels with higher impurity contents.