A right-angular configuration for the single-chamber solid oxide fuel cell

A right-angular configuration for the single-chamber solid oxide fuel cell (SC-SOFC) has been proposed and operated successfully in a methane–oxygen mixture (CH4:O2 = 2:1) with a total flow rate of 300 mL min−1. It was fabricated by attaching the Ni/yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) anode and the Sm0.2Ce0.8O1.9-impregnated La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (LSM) cathode on two mutually perpendicular planes of a YSZ electrolyte substrate. Effect of the relative position of the electrodes on the ohmic resistance has been investigated. It is shown that the cell exhibits the smallest ohmic resistance when the two electrodes are symmetrically located on the two planes. Compared with the conventional coplanar SC-SOFC, this configuration can make full use of the edge area of the electrolyte substrate and shorten the conductive channel of oxygen ion, leading to a remarkable reduction in ohmic resistance, an elevation of the open-circuit voltage, and, ultimately, an improved performance. The simple stack, consisting of two right-angular cells connected in series on an electrolyte, generated an open-circuit voltage 1.4 V at 700 °C and a maximum power 14.9 mW at 800 °C.