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 language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 185403 |
| Journal | Nanotechnology |
| Volume | 27 |
| Issue number | 18 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 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