The Role of Electrode Microstructure on Activation and Concentration Polarizations in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Abstract

Activation and concentration polarization effects in anode-supported solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) were examined. The anode and the cathode consisted respectively of porous, composite, contiguous mixtures of Ni + yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) and Sr-doped LaMnO3 (LSM) + YSZ. The composite electrode provides parallel paths for oxygen ions (through YSZ), electrons (through the electronic conductor; Ni for the anode and LSM for the cathode), and gaseous species (through the pores) and thereby substantially decreases the activation polarization. The composite electrode effectively spreads the charge transfer reaction from the electrolyte/electrode interface into the electrode.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1999
Accession Number
ADP011210

Entities

People

  • Anil V. Virkar
  • Cameron W. Tanner
  • Jai-woh Kim
  • Jong Chen

Organizations

  • University of Utah

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Cells
  • Charge Transfer
  • Coefficients
  • Composite Materials
  • Current Density
  • Diffusion
  • Diffusion Coefficient
  • Diffusivity
  • Electrodes
  • Equations
  • Fuel Cells
  • Grain Size
  • Materials
  • Materials Science
  • Partial Pressure
  • Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
  • Symposia

Fields of Study

  • Materials science

Readers

  • Electrochemical Engineering/ Fuel Cell Technologies
  • Nanofabrication and Microfabrication.

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology
  • Microelectronics