Full Ceramic Fuel Cells Based on Strontium Titanate Anodes, an Approach towards More Robust SOFCs

Abstract

The persistent problems with Ni-YSZ cermet based SOFCs, with respect to redox stability and tolerance towards sulfur has stimulated the development of a full ceramic cell based on strontium titanate(ST)- based anodes and anode support materials, within the EU FCH JU project SCOTAS-SOFC. Three different compositions (La, Y and Nb substituted ST) have been developed as anode backbones for either 25 cm2 or larger than 100 cm2 cell areas. Cell performances, once infiltrated with suitable electro catalysts, exhibited a maximum power density of 0.5 W/cm2 at 850 °C. While the ST based backbone remains intact and tolerant to redox cycles, cell performance degradation appears linked to the infiltrated electro catalysts. The materials have also been assessed with respect to their electrical and mechanical properties, in order to further evaluate their potential use as anode and anode support layers in SOFCs.