SOLID OXIDE FUEL-CELLS BASED ON CE(GD)O-2-X ELECTROLYTES

The fuel cell arrangement air, La0.4Sr0.6Co0.2Fe0.8O3 parallel to Ce(0 .9)Gd(0.1)O(1.95)parallel to Ni/YSZ, fuel, incorporating either thick film (5-10 mu m) or self supported (similar to 300 mu m) Ce0.9Gd0.1O1. 95 electrolyte, was investigated at 650 degrees C. Scanning electron m icroscopy (SEM) analysis showed that a dense electrolyte layer in good contact with highly porous electrodes was achieved using either the t hick him or self supported electrolyte. Measurements of the current-vo ltage characteristics, using H-2/CO2/H2O fuel to simulate reformed met hanol, showed that a higher terminal voltage was obtainable with the s elf supported electrolyte, but that the voltage dropped off quickly wi th increasing currents. Hence the thick film based arrangement was mor e suitable for the fuel cell and power outputs exceeding 100 mW/cm(2) were obtained.