An efficient ceramic-based anode for solid oxide fuel cells

A new ceramic-based multi-component material, containing one electronic conductor (Y-substituted SrTiO3, SYT), one ionic conductor (YSZ) and a small amount (~5 vol.%) of Ni catalyst, was investigated as an alternative anode material for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). The ceramic framework SYT/YSZ shows good dimensional stability upon redox cycling and has an electrical conductivity of~10 S cm−1 under typical anode conditions. Owing to the substantial electrocatalytic activity of the fine and well-dispersed Ni particles on the surface of the ceramic framework, the electrode polarization resistance of 5 vol.% Ni-impregnated SYT/YSZ anode reached 0.21 Ω cm2 at 800 °C in wet Ar/5%H2. Based on these results, a redox-stable anode-supported planar SOFC is expected using this anode material, thus offering great advantages over the current generation of Ni/YSZ-based SOFCs.