In-situ patterned intra-anode triple phase boundary in SOFC electroless anode: An enhancement of electrochemical performance

Co-existence of intra-anode and conventional triple phase boundary (TPB) is reported for the first time in core (YSZ)–shell (Ni) electroless anode cermet. A mathematical model is proposed for determination of intra-anode TPB length and has been validated experimentally. Retention of longer intra-anode TPB even after repeated redox cycling is responsible for relatively lower conductivity degradation of such cermets. Existence of intra-anode TPB in electroless anode results in significant improvement of electrochemical performance. Single cells with electroless anode exhibit a current density of 2.5 A cm−2 compared to cells with conventional anode (1.7A cm−2) at 800 °C, 0.7 V.