Heterogeneous electrolyte (YSZ–Al2O3) based direct oxidation solid oxide fuel cell

Bilayers comprised of dense and porous YSZ–Al2O3 (20 wt%) composite were tape cast, processed, and then fabricated into working solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). The porous part of the bilayer was converted into anode for direct oxidation of fuels by infiltrating CeO2 and Cu. The cathode side of the bilayer was coated with an interlayer [YSZ–Al2O3 (20 wt%)]: LSM (1:1) and LSM as cathode. Several button cells were evaluated under hydrogen/air and propane/air atmospheres in intermediate temperature range and their performance data were analyzed. For the first time the feasibility of using YSZ–Al2O3 material for fabricating working SOFCs with high open circuit voltage (OCV) and power density is demonstrated. AC impedance spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques were used to characterize the membrane and cell.