Comparative study on the performance of tubular solid oxide fuel cells with various Pr0.35Nd0.35Sr0.3MnO3/YSZ cathode layers made by different processes

Tubular solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) with different Pr0.35Nd0.35Sr0.3MnO3/YSZ cathode layers made by slurry spraying, slurry dip-coating and paste brushing were assembled and compared in their performance. In order to improve cathode–electrolyte coherency and interface behavior, dip-coating process was also employed to make the dense electrolyte surface with porous morphology. Electrochemistry impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and current–voltage tests were carried out to characterize the interfaces and the cell performance. Compared with the cell made by normal paste brushing, the cells made by slurry spraying and dip-coating exhibited a decrease of about 50% in electrode polarization resistance and an increase of 67% in the peak power output at 750 °C.