Nickel-ceria infiltrated Nb-doped SrTiO3 for low temperature SOFC anodes and analysis on gas diffusion impedance

This report concentrates on high performance anodes appropriate for SOFCs operating at low temperatures (400–600 °C). Symmetrical cells were made by screen printing of Nb-doped SrTiO3 (STN) on both sides of a dense ScYSZ electrolyte. Backbones I (36% porosity) and II (47% porosity) were obtained by sintering STN in air and reducing atmosphere, respectively. The porous microstructures were then infiltrated with Ni and Gd-doped CeO2 (CGO) precursors to incorporate the electrocatalytically active sites. The electrochemical performance of the anode was improved with the increment of Ni-CGO loadings. The gas diffusion impedance was investigated with He and N2 in H2/H2O gas mixtures and by varying the H2O content at 655 °C. This study indicated that the gas diffusion in these electrodes are influenced by Knudsen and bulk diffusion.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Infiltration of Ni-CGO(Gadolinium-doped cerium oxide) based electrocatalyst in strontium titanate backbone. ► Increase in active sites for hydrogen oxidation. ► Optimization of Ni-CGO loadings and electrode performances. ► Identification of gas diffusion resistances in infiltrated anodes.