Characteristic and preparation of Ce_0.5Zr_0.5O₂ as the anode support for solid oxide fuel cells by phase inversion technology

Nanoscale oxide Ce_0.5Zr_0.5O₂ powder has been prepared by a microwave combustion method as the anode material for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs). The Ce_0.5Zr_0.5O₂ material has been characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the BET method. The NiO-Ce_0.5Zr_0.5O₂ anode-supported cells are prepared by phase inversion technique and YSZ electrolyte thin film is obtained by dip-coating. The dual-pore structure anode and dense electrolyte are observed by SEM after co-firing process. Excellent electrochemical performance of single cell is demonstrated operating on hydrogen (3% H₂O), exhibiting the maximum power densities of 218, 342 and 508 mW cm^-2 at 700, 750 and 800 °C, respectively. In addition, NiO-Ce_0.5Zr_0.5O₂ anode possess high resistance to carbon deposition, indicating which could be promising candidate anodes for direct hydrocarbon SOFCs.