Surface Modification of NiFe Anode-Support for Thin-Film Solid-Oxide Fuel Cell

Abstract

A dense NiO-Fe 2 O 3 (NiFe) pellet has been developed as a potential anode-support for thin-film solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). However, preparation of dense NiFe is very challenging. Hole-formed NiFe pellets or porous NiFe pellets are frequently formed, which cannot be used as a support (substrate) for thin-film SOFCs. Therefore, this hole-formed NiFe support is simply wasted. In this report, we attempt to re-qualify this NiFe support to be a valuable substrate, which can be used for fabricating thin-film SOFCs. By deposition of smaller NiFe particles to cover the hole-formed NiFe support, the surface of this NiFe pellet is modified. Large holes on the surface disappear. The newly formed NiFe support can be used for fabricating a single cell with La 0.9 Sr 0.1 Ga 0.8 Mg 0.2 O 3−δ as thinfilm electrolyte operated at intermediate temperature. Maximum power density generated from this cell is 0.45, 0.86 and 1.28 W cm −2 at 873, 923 and 973 K, respectively.