Journal of Power Sources, Vol.378, 184-189, 2018
Reversible operation of microtubular solid oxide cells using La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3-delta-Ce0.9Gd0.1O2-delta oxygen electrodes
Yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) based microtubular solid oxide fuel cells (mT-SOFCs) using La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3-delta (LSCF) and Ce0.9Gd0.1O2-delta (GDC) as the oxygen electrode, along with a porous GDC electrolyte-electrode barrier layer, were fabricated and characterized in both fuel cell (SOFC) and electrolysis (SOEC) operation modes. The cells were anode-supported, the NiO-YSZ microtubular supports being made by Powder Extrusion Moulding (PEM). The cells showed power densities of 695 mW cm(-2) at 800 degrees C and 0.7 V in SOFC mode, and of 845 mA cm(-2) at 800 degrees C and 1.3 V in SOEC mode. AC impedance experiments performed under different potential loads demonstrated the reversibility of the cells. These results showed that these cells, prepared with a method suitable for using on an industrial scale, are highly reproducible and reliable, as well as very competitive as reversible SOFC-SOEC devices operating at intermediate temperatures.