Application of Yttria Stabilized Zirconia (8YSZ) and NiO Precursors for Fabrication of Composite Material for Anode-Supported SOFCs

The optimization of technology for manufacturing bilayered anode supports for planar solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) using precursors was performed. The bilayered anode supports for the second-generation planar SOFCs were manufactured by the tape casting method followed by the lamination. Nickel sulfate heptahydrate NiSO₄∙7H₂O was used to fabricate the composite material for the current-collecting layer containing 60 vol % NiO and the functional layer containing 40 vol % NiO (the chosen values are close to the first and second percolation thresholds). The 8YSZ/NiSO₄ composite mixture was calcined at a temperature of 1000°C. The use of this precursor resulted in fabricating durable anode support that retains mechanical stability during redox cycling. Finely dispersed NiO in a thin functional layer led to a high density of three-phase boundaries, which had a beneficial effect on the electrochemical activity of the anode. Based on these anode supports, the model samples of solid oxide fuel cells were manufactured. The samples were studied using conventional electrochemical techniques. The power density was 1 W/cm² at an operating temperature of 750°C.