Infiltrated composite electrodes for solid oxide fuel cells

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are electrochemical devices which can convert chemical energy to electrical energy with efficiencies up to 60%. In order for SOFCs to be favorable energy conversion devices, the power obtained from a unit volume should be improved. This corresponds to minimized resistances from SOFC components (composite electrodes and electrolyte). Stability of the generated power is another important issue. Degradation of SOFCs with time due to microstructural processes or chemical reactions that occur at operating conditions; and due to reduction/oxidation cycles caused by the changes in the anode has been an important obstacle that has prevented the widespread commercial use of SOFCs.;In this dissertation, the electrochemical properties of SOFC electrodes prepared by an infiltration technique were investigated. The long-term behavior and redox stability of the electrodes were evaluated individually and in the form of complete SOFCs. Interpretation of impedance spectra was used extensively to gain some fundamental understanding of the electrochemical properties of the electrodes along with voltammetry. Microstructural characterization was performed by electron microscopy techniques.;LSM-YSZ cathodes prepared by polymeric LSM precursor infiltration resulted in cathode polarization resistance of 0.022 Ohm.cm2 at 800 °C, which then increased to 0.035 Ohm.cm2 and remained stable at this value for 100 hours. SOFCs with Ni-YSZ anodes and LSM-YSZ cathodes prepared by infiltration yielded total electrode polarizations of 0.080 Ohm.cm 2 at 800 °C. The electrode polarization resistances showed no degradation with time or upon redox cycling.