Optimization of Ni-zirconia based anode support for robust and high-performance 5 × 5 cm² sized SOFC via tape-casting/co-firing technique and nano-structured anode

High-performance Ni-zirconia based anode supported cells were developed via a cost-effective tape-casting/co-firing technique and a nano structured anode. The fundamental properties for conventional NiO-YSZ anode supports - such as porosity, shrinkage, electrical conductivity and mechanical strength - were measured as a function of the proportion of NiO and YSZ (coarse and fine powders). Electrical conductivity, shrinkage, porosity, strength were found to be 1200 S/cm, 22%, 45% and 55 MPa, respectively, for a composition of NiO:YSZ (60:40 wt%) and coarse:fine YSZ (50:50 wt%). However, warping of the cell and delamination was frequently observed between the anode and the electrolyte after the co-firing step. The NiO/YSZ-ScSZ (40/30-30 wt%) nano-composite anode was synthesized to increase the connectivity of Ni phase, the sinter-ability of YSZ phases and to match the shrinkage with ScSZ electrolyte. It displayed strength of 95 MPa, an electrical conductivity of 1400 S/cm with thermal stability after cycling 10 times, 50% porosity, and 28% shrinkage; the latter being particularly similar to the ScSZ electrolyte. Moreover, the 5 × 5 cm² sized single cell consisting of the NiO/YSZ-ScSZ anode, ScSZ electrolyte and an LSM-YSZ cathode showed 19 μ/5 cm of flatness and a power of over 13.3 W (0.83 W/cm²) with hydrogen at 700 °C.