Improved electrochemical performance of NiO-La_0.45Ce_0.55O_2-δ composite anodes for IT-SOFC through the introduction of a La_0.45Ce_0.55O_2-δ interlayer

A La_0.45Ce_0.55O_2-δ (LDC45) interlayer between the Ni-LDC45 anode and the La_0.9Sr_0.1Ga_0.8Mg_0.2O_3-δ (LSGM) electrolyte of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) can prevent the solid-state reaction between Ni and LSGM. The D₅₀ of LDC45 powders prepared via co-precipitation method was 1.36 μm and the particles size distribution of LDC45 powders was rather narrow. Applying the results of an extensive investigation of screen-printing technique, a sufficiently thin and sufficiently dense LDC45 interlayer was fabricated via screen-printing using a PTFE scraper, a screen of 260 mesh, and CMC as the paste binder. Additionally, an investigation of the sintering process revealed that the properties of the LDC45 interlayer can be significantly improved by sintering at 1400 °C for 3 h. The EIS results demonstrated that the implementation of the LDC45 interlayer in SOFC electrodes decreased their ohmic resistance and accelerated the charge transfer process. Moreover, the maximum power density of the cells was also increased 72% in this manner.