Bimetallic (Ni-Fe) anode-supported solid oxide fuel cells with gadolinia-doped ceria electrolyte

Abstract Anode-supported solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) comprising nickel + iron anode support and gadolinia-doped ceria (GDC) of composition Gd0.1Ce0.9O2−δ thin film electrolyte were fabricated, and their performance was evaluated. The ratio of Fe2O3 to NiO in the anode support was 3 to 7 on a molar basis. Fe2O3 and NiO powders were mixed in the desired proportions and discs were die-pressed. All other layers were sequentially applied on the anode support. The cell structure consisted of five distinct layers: anode support – Ni + Fe; anode functional layer – Ni + GDC; electrolyte – GDC; cathode functional layer – LSC (La0.6Sr0.4CoO3−δ) + GDC; and cathode current collector – LSC. Cells with three different variations of the electrolyte were made: (1) thin GDC electrolyte (∼15 μm); (2) thick GDC electrolyte (∼25 μm); and (3) tri-layer GDC/thin yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ)/GDC electrolyte (∼25 μm). Cells were tested with hydrogen as fuel and air as oxidant up to 650 °C. The maximum open circuit voltage measured at 650 °C was ∼0.83 V and maximum power density measured was ∼0.68 W cm−2. The present work shows that cells with Fe + Ni containing anode support can be successfully made.