Nanocomposite electrode materials for low temperature solid oxide fuel cells using the ceria-carbonate composite electrolytes

Low temperature solid oxide fuel cell (LTSOFC, 300–600 °C) is one of the hot areas in recent fuel cell developments. In order to develop high performance LTSOFCs, compatible electrodes are highly demanded. We used NANOCOFC (nanocomposites for advanced fuel cell technology) approach to develop nanocomposite electrodes based on metal oxides Ni–Cu–Zn-oxide and samarium doped ceria (SDC). It was found that the materials consist of individual metal oxide and SDC phase, indicating the material as a composite with a homogenous distribution for all constituent components. Highly homogenous distribution of the particles enhanced the catalyst function for electrode applications in LTSOFC devices. We constructed the devices using the SDC-carbonate nanocomposite (NSDC) as the electrolyte and above as prepared composite as electrodes in a symmetrical configuration. We found that the prepared composite electrodes had good catalytic function for both H2 and O2, to prove its anode and cathode functions. Based on the material properties, the LTSOFC devices have reached a power output more than 730 mW cm−2 at 550 °C.