Nanoporous silver cathode surface treated by atomic layer deposition of CeO x for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells

Ke Chean Neoh, Gwon Deok Han, Manjin Kim, Jun Woo Kim, Hyung Jong Choi, Suk Won Park, Joon Hyung Shim

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    33 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    We evaluated the performance of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) with a 50 nm thin silver (Ag) cathode surface treated with cerium oxide (CeO x ) by atomic layer deposition (ALD). The performances of bare and ALD-treated Ag cathodes were evaluated on gadolinia-doped ceria (GDC) electrolyte supporting cells with a platinum (Pt) anode over 300 °C-450 °C. Our work confirms that ALD CeO x treatment enhances cathodic performance and thermal stability of the Ag cathode. The performance difference between cells using a Ag cathode optimally treated with an ALD CeO x surface and a reference Pt cathode is about 50% at 450 °C in terms of fuel cell power output in our experiment. The bare Ag cathode completely agglomerated into islands during fuel cell operation at 450 °C, while the ALD CeO x treatment effectively protects the porosity of the cathode. We also discuss the long-term stability of ALD CeO x -treated Ag cathodes related to the microstructure of the layers.

    Original languageEnglish
    Article number185403
    JournalNanotechnology
    Volume27
    Issue number18
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2016 Mar 24

    Bibliographical note

    Funding Information:
    This work was supported by a National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) Grant funded by the Korean Government (MSIP) (Grant No. NRF-2013R1A1A1A05013794). The Brain Korea 21 Plus program (Grant No. 21A20131712520) is also acknowledged for their support. We would also like to thank Dr C Lansalot-Matras and Dr W Noh (Air Liquide Laboratories Korea) for the supplement on the Ce precursor and a discussion on the ALD CeOx process.

    Keywords

    • Ag
    • atomic layer deposition
    • cathode
    • ceria
    • low temperature
    • solid oxide fuel cell

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Bioengineering
    • General Chemistry
    • General Materials Science
    • Mechanics of Materials
    • Mechanical Engineering
    • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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