Microarchitectured solid oxide fuel cells with improved energy efficiency (Part II): Fabrication and characterization

Part I of this study presented a computational model-based approach for enhancing the performance of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) with designed microarchitecture. The performance of such SOFCs was predicted to greatly improve through a systematic computational design and optimization approach. Part II here proves through experimental fabrication and characterization that microarchitectured SOFC performance can be improved as predicted by the model. A real and specific SOFC is chosen, fabricated and characterized to demonstrate the proof-of-concept. Fabrication techniques using sintering and laser ablation are demonstrated. Pore size and geometry are characterized by interferometry-based surface profilometry and scanning electron microscopy. SOFC button cell performance testing including power output performance and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy are performed. The results show that SOFC performance in a microarchitectured cell can be improved over a baseline button cell by 9–17% in current density and by 7–19% in power density.