All-ceramic solid oxide fuel cells utilizing phase-inversion derived scaffolds and impregnated nanoparticles as cathodes

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) supported on ceramic cathodes exhibit better redox stability and allow for a broader selection of anode materials compared to those supported on Ni-yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) cermet anodes. In the present study, a cathode-supported all-ceramic SOFC was investigated. The cathode consisted of a phase-inversion derived porous YSZ scaffold impregnated with LaCoO₃ (LCO) nanoparticles of optimal loading 15 wt%. The anode was composed of a thin porous YSZ scaffold impregnated with Sr_1.9Fe_1.4Ni_0.1Mo_0.5O_6-δ (SFNM) nanoparticles of optimal loading 40 wt%. An SOFC featuring a 400 μm thick LCO@YSZ cathode, a 10 μm thick YSZ electrolyte, and a 30 μm thick SFNM@YSZ anode, achieved a maximum power density of 1084 mW•cm⁻² at 800 °C and 350 mW•cm⁻² at 650 °C. The cell with an LCO-Gd_0.1Ce_0.9O_2-δ composite cathode exhibited improved stability compared to that with the LCO single-phase cathode when operated in potentiostatic mode at 650 °C.