Chemically stable anode-supported solid oxide fuel cells based on Y-doped barium zirconate thin films having improved performance

Anode-supported solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) based on thin BaZr _0.8Y_0.2O_3-δ (BZY) electrolyte films were fabricated by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) on sintered NiO-BZY composite anodes. After in situ reduction of NiO to Ni, the anode substrates became porous, while retaining good adhesion with the electrolyte. A slurry-coated composite cathode made of La_0.6Sr_0.4Co _0.2Fe_0.8O_3-δ (LSCF) and BaCe _0.9Yb_0.1O_3-δ (BCYb), specifically developed for proton conducting electrolytes, was used to assemble fuel cell prototypes. Depositing by PLD 100 nm thick LSCF porous films onto the BZY thin films was essential to improve the cathode/electrolyte adhesion. A power density output of 110 mW/cm² at 600 °C, the largest reported value for an anode-supported fuel cell based on BZY at this temperature, was achieved. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements were used to investigate the different contributions to the total polarization losses.