Gradient anode functional layer for thin Y:BaZrxCe1-xO3 electrolyte in low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells

Abstract

Microstructure and fuel cell performance of thin film protonic ceramic fuel cell (PCFC) with yttrium doped barium cerate-zirconate (BCZY) are investigated in this work. Thin electrolyte (thickness < 1 μm) is fabricated using pulsed laser deposition on a novel anode functional layer (AFL) which has gradient composition of BCZY and NiO. Electrostatic slurry spray deposition is utilized to fabricate the gradient AFL. In microstructure observation of the PCFC, fully dense thin electrolyte with good interfacial adhesion is confirmed. From fuel cell test, the high maximum power densities of 462-605 mW/cm are obtained at operating temperatures of 550-650 °C, along with open circuit voltages of 0.95-0.87 V.