Performance analysis of SOFC with electrode-electrolyte interface tailored by laser micro-machining

The interfacial area between the electrode and the electrolyte of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) is increased by a pulsed-laser machining to expand the active electrochemical reaction region. The pulsed-laser machining is performed on the surface of the YSZ flat electrolytes to fabricate micro-patterned craters. The surface profiles of the patterned electrolytes are measured by a 3D laser profiler. Then, LSM cathode is fabricated on the laser-machined surface of the YSZ electrolyte, while Ni-YSZ anode on the flat side. The performance of the fabricated cell with the patterned interface is experimentally evaluated at 900°C and compared with that of the conventional cell having the flat interface. 3D numerical simulations are also performed on the patterned cell to understand the distributions of the activation overpotentials and the charge-transfer current at the interface. A power density enhancement is confirmed in the cell with the patterned interface in both experiment and simulation.