Study on the correlation between Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Ni-YSZ anode performance and reduction temperature

The influences of reduction temperature on the initial performance and shorttime durability of nickel-yttria-stabilized zirconia composite solid oxide fuel cell anode were investigated. Anode microstructures before and after operation were quantitatively analyzed by three-dimensional reconstruction based on focused ion beam-scanning electron microscopy technique. The anode reduced at 500 ^oC showed the worst initial performance and stability in operation and the anode reduced at 800 ^oC showed the smallest polarization resistance. The anode reduced at 1000 ^oC showed the most stable performance with polarization resistance enhanced with operation. It is found that higher reduction temperature leads to dense nickel and enhances nickel-yttria-stabilized-zirconia interfacial bonding, which can inhibit nickel sintering and improve the composite anode stability in long-time operation.