Influence of anode thickness on the electrochemical performance of single chamber solid oxide fuel cells

The influence of the anode thickness (9–60 μm) on the behaviour of SC-SOFCs was investigated in different total flows of a methane-air mixture to the anode. In order to eliminate the effects of the cathode with varying flow, a double chamber setup with separated fuel and air streams to the anode and cathode was used. The open circuit voltage (OCV) decreased with increasing gas flow and at the same time the power density increased. Oscillations of the OCV at high gas flows were observed for cells with thin anodes. Cells with thick anodes showed the highest OCV and the highest maximum power density. These anodes have a higher catalytic activity for the partial oxidation of methane and create a lower oxygen partial pressure at the anode/electrolyte interface. They also provide more hydrogen than thin anodes and can give a higher power output