Electrochemical and microstructural characterization of the redox tolerance of solid oxide fuel cell anodes

A baseline of the redox behaviour of an anode-supported SOFC was developed using electrochemical testing and electron microscopy. During redox tests, the cell's initial performance was characterized and then a small amount of air was blown over the anode in order to reoxidize the cell. The cell was then reduced and the electrochemical performance was remeasured in order to determine the amount of redox degradation. Cell performance decreased slightly after each redox cycle, especially for redox times greater than 1 hour. The microstructural changes that occurred after redox cycling were characterized using scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM). Redox cycling significantly changed the microstructure of the anode substrate in the cell.