Development of Ceria-Based Microtubular Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Gadolinia-doped ceria (GDC) has higher oxide-ion conductivity than a conventional yttria-stabilized zirconica (YSZ).  GDC is one of the most desirable materials as an electrolyte for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs) operated below 600 °C.  A nickel-GDC cermet anode has high catalytic and electrochemical activities against fuel oxidation in SOFCs.  For example, direct butane utilization was successfully demonstrated for Ni-GDC anode-supported microtubular SOFCs.  Furthermore, an La_0.6Sr_0.4Co_0.2Fe_0.8O₃(LSCF)-GDC composite cathode shows high performance at intermediate temperature.  We applied GDC materials to electrolyte, anode and cathode for microtubular SOFCs.