Design of experiment approach applied to reducing and oxidizing tolerance of anode supported solid oxide fuel cell. Part II: Electrical, electrochemical and microstructural characterization of tape-cast cells

One of the major limitations of the nickel (Ni) – yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) anode support for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) is its low capability to withstand transients between reducing and oxidizing atmospheres (“RedOx” cycle), owing to the Ni-to-NiO volume expansion. This work presents results on different anode supports fabricated by tape casting. Three compositions are prepared, as the outcome of a preceding design of experiment approach. The NiO proportion is 40, 50 and 60 wt% of the anode composite.The anode support characteristics like shrinkage during sintering, in-situ conductivity at high temperature, electrochemical performance and tolerance against RedOx cycles have been measured. Performance up to 0.72 W cm−2 (0.62 V, 800 °C) is recorded for the 60 wt% NiO sample on small cells. The open circuit voltage is maintained within ±5 mV after 10 full RedOx cycles at 800 °C and one at 850 °C. Performances tend to be stabilized after one or multiple RedOx cycles. The microstructural observations show round Ni particles after the first reduction; after a RedOx cycle, the Ni particles include micro-porosities that are stable under humidified reducing atmosphere for more than 300 h.