Advances in Ceramic Thin Films Fabricated by Pulsed Laser Deposition for Intermediate-Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) as one of the clean electrochemical energy conversion devices have acquired increasing attention recently due to the high efficiency, low emission, and excellent fuel flexibility. Nevertheless, the practical application of SOFCs is hindered by poor stability and high cost. Thus, lowering the operating temperatures is critical to increase the lifetime and reduce the cost of SOFCs. However, the electrolyte and electrode materials used in high-temperature SOFCs suffer from insufficient ionic conductivity and poor electrocatalytic activity at lower operating temperatures, respectively. Nanomaterials and relevant nanotechnologies have great potential to enhance the performance of SOFCs operated at lower temperatures because of the enlarged surface area, distinct surface, and interface properties. Among various nanotechnologies, pulsed laser deposition (PLD) has been widely employed in SOFCs to reduce the operating temperature. Herein, we present an in-time review about the PLD-involved fabrication of key components in intermediate-temperature (IT) SOFCs in terms of cathodes, electrolytes, anodes, and interlayers. The superiority of the PLD technique to other traditional fabrication methods is emphasized, and design strategies for the key components in IT-SOFCs are presented and discussed. We also point out the trends, current challenges, and future directions that exist in this dynamic field. This review will inspire substantial interests from various disciplines and provide some valuable guidance for future development of PLD-involved energy storage and conversion devices.