Journal of Materials Chemistry · 2011 · 47 citations · 26 references
Natural SciencesMaterials EngineeringMaterials ScienceCeramic MaterialsElectrochemistrySurface ScienceAtomic Layer DepositionDopingElectrochemical CellsElectrode MaterialsElectrode-electrolyte InterfacesFuel CellsDoped Electrode MaterialsElectrode - Electrolyte InterphasesLinear Sweep VoltammetryOxide DopingSolid Oxide Fuel Cell MaterialsSolid Oxide Fuel CellsThin Oxide LayersVoltammetry
The performance of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) was significantly enhanced through surface modification of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolyte by doped ceria interlayers. Ultra-thin yttria-doped-ceria (YDC) layers were fabricated by atomic layer deposition (ALD). The doping concentrations of Y2O3 were finely tuned by changing the Ce : Y pulsing ratios. YDC layers were inserted between bulk YSZ electrolyte and a porous Pt cathode. The performance of SOFCs with different doping concentrations of YDC interlayers was measured using the linear sweep voltammetry method at operating temperatures between 300 and 500 °C. The fuel cell performance was enhanced by a factor of 2–3.6 within the Y2O3 doping range of 12–17 M%. The enhanced performance was attributed to an increased oxide ion incorporation rate at the electrode/electrolyte interface.
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