Characterization of thin metal‐supported solid oxide fuel cells fabricated through atmospheric Plasma spraying

Abstract

In this study, thin molybdenum‐containing, nickel‐based metal‐supported solid oxide fuel cells (MS‐SOFCs) were fabricated through atmospheric plasma spraying and then characterized. We investigated the change in cell performance associated with the reduction of the Ni–Mo support layer thickness from 200 to 80 µm and reduction of the substrate sintering temperature from 1200 to 1000°C. At a cell voltage of 0.6 V, the measured maximum power density values of a 50 × 50 mm2 MS‐SOFC were 313, 581, 890, and 1098 mW cm−2 at 600, 650, 700, and 750°C, respectively. A 100 × 100 mm2 (commercial‐size) MS‐SOFC and an assembled single‐cell MS‐SOFC stack exhibited electric output power values of approximately 33 and 39 W at 700 and 750°C, respectively, and an effective electrode area of 81 cm2. In a long‐term stability test, the commercial‐size cell and single‐cell stack exhibited a degradation rate of approximately 1% after 1000 h of operation at a current density of 250–300 mA cm−2 and temperature of 700°C. Moreover, a five‐cell MS‐SOFC stack demonstrated a stack power of 180.85 W at 3.792 V (446.5 mW cm−2 at 0.758 V) and 750°C.