College of DuPage1, Wheaton, IL 60187 Argonne National Laboratory2, Chemical materials division, ARGONNE, IL 60439
Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are an electrochemical energy conversion device. The objective of this project is to improve the power density of a solid oxide fuel cell while using components that are lower in cost and have more chemical and physical durability. Tri-layered cells were made by tape casting. They consisted of a hydrogen electrode, an electrolyte, and a porous stainless steel support layer. This design increases the stability of the hydrogen electrode while allowing more flexibility in sintering options than traditional ceramic supported SOFCs, while at the same time reducing the cost of the fuel cell. The oxygen electrode was screen printed onto a previously sintered tri-layered cell which was then sintered in situ during cell operation. The power density characteristics of the device were then measured using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and in situ cell performance. By increasing the power density of SOFCs that run at a lower operating temperature they may be more widely utilized for a broader selection of applications.
[Abstract (DOC)]