Cathode supports of SOFCs with a hierarchical pore structure

Abstract

Cathode-supported SOFCs are attractive for the potential utilization of hydrocarbons as fuels to generate electricity because Cu-based anodes can be used to deal with coke formation in the Ni-base anodes. However, Cu-based anodes cannot be used in anode-supported SOFCs because the high sintering temperatures (above 1350 °C) required for the formation of a dense electrolyte film may melt the Cu-based anodes. Compared with anode materials, cathode materials show higher sinterability, which leads to a low porosity of the supporting cathodes and in turn high gas diffusion resistance within the cathodes. To get around this problem, a novel supporting cathode with efficient gas diffusion channels will be developed in this study in order to achieve high performances in power generation.