Modeling and Optimization of the Nano-Particle Infiltrated Electrode of a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell

Recently, nano-particle infiltrated electrode has shown its advantages in many aspect. Although there are many experimental studies on it, the theoretical design of the nano-particle infiltrated electrode which is also very important is still lacking. In this paper, the processes of electrochemical reactions, electronic and ionic conductions and gas transports in the nano-particle infiltrated electrode of the solid oxide fuel cell are discussed in detail. A corresponding multi-physics model is also obtained which can be verified by the experimental I–V relations. This model is further used to systematically examine the effects of various microstructure parameters on the performance of the nano-particle infiltrated electrode. This comprehensive study can finally give the optimization design of the nano-particle infiltrated electrode.