Highly Performing Chromate-Based Ceramic Anodes (Y_0.7Ca_0.3Cr_{1- x}Cu _xO_3-δ) for Low-Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Exploitation of alternative anode materials for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (LT-SOFCs, 350-650 °C) is technologically important but remains a major challenge. Here we report a potential ceramic anode Y_0.7Ca_0.3Cr_{1- x}Cu _xO_3-δ ( x = 0, 0.05, 0.12, and 0.20) (YCC) exhibiting relatively high conductivity at low temperatures (≤650 °C) in both fuel and oxidant gas conditions. Additionally, the newly developed composition (YCC12) is structurally stable in reducing and oxidizing gas conditions, indicating its suitability for SOFC anodes. The I- V characteristics and performance of the ceramic anode infiltrated with Ni-(Ce_0.9Gd_0.1O_2-δ)(GDC) were determined using GDC/(La_0.6Sr_0.4CoO_3-δ)(LSC)-based cathode supported SOFCs. High peak power densities of ∼1.2 W/cm² (2.2A/cm²), 1 W/cm² (2.0A/cm²), and 0.6 W/cm² (1.3 A/cm²) were obtained at 600, 550, and 500 °C, respectively, in H₂/3% H₂O as fuel and air as oxidant. SOFCs showed excellent stability with a low degradation rate of 0.015 V kh^-1 under 0.2 A/cm². YCC-based ceramic anodes are therefore critical for the advancement of LT-SOFC technology.