Citations
In this study, we developed a composite anode support composed of La-doped SrTiO3 (LST) and Gd-doped CeO2 (GDC) using a tape casting process for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). By adjusting the pore former content in the slurry, we constructed a bilayered structure consisting of a porous anode support layer (ASL) and a dense anode functional layer (AFL) with the same material composition. The number of tape-cast sheets was controlled to tailor the overall thickness, and lamination followed by co-sintering at 1250oC resulted in a mechanically robust bilayer. We characterized the microstructural evolution concerning sintering temperature and pore former content using SEM, while XRD confirmed the phase stability of LST and GDC. The measured electrical conductivity at 750oC ensured sufficient electron transport. To enhance interfacial adhesion and suppress secondary phase formation, we introduced a GDC buffer layer and a pre-sintering treatment prior to electrolyte deposition. A full cell with a YSZ electrolyte and LSCF cathode achieved a stable open circuit voltage of approximately 0.7 V and demonstrated continuous operation at 750oC. These findings highlight the suitability of LST-GDC composite anodes as thermochemically stable supports, potentially enabling direct hydrocarbon utilization in intermediate-temperature SOFCs.
The polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) generates electrical energy through electrochemical reactions and is a key technology for sustainable energy. The electrolyte membrane significantly affects performance under varying conditions. This study examines the impact of membrane thickness and relative humidity (RH) on PEMFC performance using j-V curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Experiments were conducted with membrane thicknesses of 30, 15, and 5 μm under RH conditions of 100%-100% and 100%-0%. Under RH 100%-100%, performance improved as the membrane thickness decreased, with values of 954, 1050, and 1235 mW/cm² for the 30, 15, and 5 μm membranes, respectively. The 5 μm membrane demonstrated a 23% performance improvement over the 30 μm membrane. Under RH 100%-0%, performances were 422, 642, and 852 mW/cm², with degradation rates of 55.8%, 39.0%, and 32.1%. The 5 μm membrane exhibited the lowest degradation rate, indicating superior performance under low humidity. These results suggest that thinner membranes generally enhance performance and maintain efficiency even in dry conditions.