Freestanding Micro-SOFCs with Electrodes Prepared by Electrostatic Spray Deposition

Abstract

We report a freestanding micro solid oxide fuel cell with both the anode and cathode deposited using electrostatic spray deposition (ESD) technique. The cell is consisted of dense yittria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolyte (100nm thick), porous lanthanum strontium manganite (LSM)-YSZ cathode (approximate to 3m thick), and porous NiO-YSZ anode (approximate to 3m thick). LSM-YSZ and NiO-YSZ composite powders were initially prepared by glycine nitrate process and super-critical fluid processes, respectively, and both cathode and anode layers were deposited by the ESD. The resulting freestanding micro cell exhibited an open circuit voltage close to the theoretical value of 1.09V, and a maximum power density of 41.3mWcm(-2) at 640 degrees C.