Preparation of Porosity–Graded SOFC Anode Substrates

Abstract

Abstract Porosity graded anode substrates for solid oxide fuel cells are considered to optimise the gas transport through the substrate by maintaining a high electrochemical activity for fuel oxidation at the anode/solid electrolyte interface. In this work, the fabrication of porosity graded anode substrates, made from nickel oxide and yttria‐modified zirconia and produced by dry uni‐axial pressing, are described. Using carbon as pore formers and adjusting the particle size distribution in the ceramic NiO‐YSZ masses, samples with gradually changing porosity are built up. The sintering behaviour of the individual layers is analysed and partly adjusted so the multi‐layer support can be co‐fired together with the YSZ electrolyte layer. In the oxidized state, four‐layer, porosity graded anode supported half‐cells with a dense YSZ electrolyte are demonstrated.