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Infiltration of commercially available, anode supported SOFC's via inkjet printing
T B Mitchell-Williams1, R I Tomov1, S A Saadabadi2
11Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Materials for Renewable and Sustainable Energy
|February 15, 2020
Summary
Inkjet printing gadolinium doped ceria (CGO) into solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) is feasible. However, CGO infiltration did not improve power output due to dominant loss mechanisms in commercial SOFC anodes.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Materials Science
- Energy Conversion
Background:
- Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are promising for clean energy.
- Anode performance is critical for SOFC efficiency.
- Gadolinium doped ceria (CGO) is explored as an anode additive.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate CGO nanoparticle infiltration into commercial SOFC anodes using inkjet printing.
- To evaluate the impact of CGO infiltration on SOFC electrochemical performance.
- To identify potential loss mechanisms limiting performance enhancement.
Main Methods:
- Anode supported SOFCs (NiO-8YSZ/8YSZ/LSCF) were infiltrated with CGO precursor solutions (water-based and propionic acid-based) via inkjet printing.
- Electrochemical performance testing was conducted at practical voltage levels.
- Microstructural characterization was performed using high-resolution scanning electron microscopy.
Main Results:
- CGO infiltration into 0.5 μm thick anode supports reached a saturation limit of approximately 1wt%.
- No significant enhancement in power output was observed for the infiltrated commercial SOFCs.
- Microstructural analysis revealed dominant loss mechanisms overshadowing potential benefits.
- Infiltration into model symmetric anode cells showed reduced polarization resistance with propionic acid-based ink.
Conclusions:
- Inkjet printing offers a scalable, low-cost method for CGO infiltration into commercial SOFC anodes.
- Despite infiltration feasibility, other loss mechanisms limit performance improvements in these specific SOFCs.
- Further optimization is needed, as demonstrated by reduced polarization resistance in model cells.
