YSZ electrolyte support with novel symmetric structure by phase inversion process for solid oxide fuel cells

A symmetric solid oxide fuel cell based on yttrium stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolyte and PrBaMn₂O_5+δ (PBMO) electrode was developed by phase inversion and infiltration methods. Symmetric electrolyte support composed of two porous backbones and a thin dense layer were obtained by phase inversion and drop-coating techniques. PBMO catalysts were infiltrated into the finger-like pores of the backbone to serve as electrodes. Scanning electron microscopy results show that the cell has a porous symmetric structure with nanosized PBMO catalysts distributed in finger-like microchannels. With this symmetric structure, the anode polarization resistance for the cell decreased by 46% and the cathode polarization resistance decreased by 39% at 800 °C. The power outputs were improved by 100% in H₂ and CH₄ fuel gas at 800 °C. These results imply that optimizing the microstructure of the electrolyte support is a promising approach to increase active surface areas and further improve the cell performance for SOFCs.