loading page

Reducing critical raw material use in commercial solid oxide fuel cells using vertically aligned thin-film cathodes with enhanced long-term stability
  • +8
  • Matthew Wells,
  • Kosova Kreka ,
  • Mohana Kante,
  • Miriam Botros,
  • Ozden Celikbilek,
  • Jan Pieter Ouweltjes,
  • Federico Baiutti,
  • Simon Fairclough,
  • Caterina Ducati,
  • Albert Tarancón,
  • Judith MacManus-Driscoll
Matthew Wells
Cambridge University

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

Author Profile
Kosova Kreka
Catalonia Institute for Energy Research
Author Profile
Mohana Kante
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
Author Profile
Miriam Botros
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
Author Profile
Ozden Celikbilek
Imperial College London
Author Profile
Jan Pieter Ouweltjes
SolydEra SpA
Author Profile
Federico Baiutti
Catalonia Institute for Energy Research
Author Profile
Simon Fairclough
Cambridge University
Author Profile
Caterina Ducati
University of Cambridge
Author Profile
Albert Tarancón
Catalonia Institute for Energy Research
Author Profile
Judith MacManus-Driscoll
University of Cambridge
Author Profile

Abstract

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are widely presented as a sustainable solution to future energy challenges. Nevertheless, SOFCs presently rely on significant use of several critical raw materials to enable optimised reaction kinetics at the device electrodes. This challenge can be addressed through the use of thin-film electrode materials, however this is typically accompanied by complex device fabrication procedures as well as poor mechanical and chemical stability. In this work, we conduct a systematic study of a range of promising thin-film electrode materials based on vertically aligned nanocomposite (VAN) thin films. We demonstrate low area specific resistance (ASR) values of 0.44 cm2 at 650° C can be achieved using (La0.60Sr0.40)0.95Co0.20Fe0.80O3 - (Sm2O3)0.20(CeO2)0.80 (LSCF-SDC) thin films, which are also characterised by a low degradation rate, approximately half that of planar LSCF thin films. We then integrate these LSCF-SDC VAN films directly with commercial anode supported half cells through a single step deposition process. The resulting cells exhibit peak power density of 0.47 W/cm2 at 750° C, competitive with 0.64 W/cm2 achieved for the same cells operating with a bulk LSCF cathode despite 99.5% reduction in cathode critical raw material use. Therefore, the present work marks a valuable step towards the sustainable proliferation of SOFC technology.
22 Aug 2024Submitted to Energy & Environmental Materials
23 Aug 2024Submission Checks Completed
23 Aug 2024Assigned to Editor
23 Aug 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
05 Sep 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned