Enhancement in performance of solid oxide fuel cells with functional interlayer

The electrode performance of solid oxide fuel cell anode with Pd nanoparticles at the interface of ScYSZ electrolyte and Sr_0.94Ti_0.9Nb_0.1O₃ (STN) electrode introduced in the form of metal functional layer have been investigated at temperatures below 600 °C. A metal functional layer consisting of Pd was deposited by magnetron sputtering. Effecting from heat treatments, Pd nanoparticles with particle sizes in the range of 5–20 nm were distributed at the interface, and throughout the backbone. The polarization resistance of the modified STN reduced to 30 Ωcm² at 600 °C, which is three times less than an unmodified STN backbone. In order to improve the anode performance further, Pd and Gd-doped CeO₂ electrocatalysts were infiltrated into the STN backbone. The modified interface with Pd nanoparticles in combination with nanostructured electrocatalyst by infiltration resulted in polarisation resistances of 0.35 Ωcm² at 600 °C in H₂/3% H₂O fuel