Performance of GDC-impregnated Ni anodes of SOFCs

Ni electrodes impregnated with nanosized electrocatalytic active (Gd, Ce)O ₂ (GDC) particles were fabricated and investigated as anodes for H ₂ oxidation reaction in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). Incorporation of nanosized ionic conducting GDC particles significantly reduced the electrode interface resistance and polarization potential. With the impregnation of 8.5 vol % GDC in Ni anodes, the electrode interface resistance was 0.71 Ω cm ² at 800°C, close to the good performance value of 0.24 Ω cm ² reported on Ni (50 vol %)/YSZ (50 vol %) cermet anodes at the same temperature. Nanosized GDC particles were deposited on the surface of Ni grains, forming a thin and uniform GDC layer. Such a unique microstracture shows a potential application as direct methane oxidation anodes for SOFCs based on natural gas fuel.