Fabrication and characterization of intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells by pulsed laser deposition

Decreasing the operating temperature in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) will aid in increasing their portability and durability. However, the electrolyte and electrode resistances increase significantly at lower temperatures. Pulsed Laser deposition (PLD) is a promising method to prepare thin films, thus reducing the ohmic resistance of the electrolyte and electrode, with microstructural and morphological control depending on deposition conditions, keys to maximizing electrode electrochemical performance. In this research, SOFC cells consisting of anode/electrolyte/cathode thin film layers grown by PLD on electrically conductive porous supports were fabricated. The microstructure control of cathode and anode functional layers in different deposition conditions are discussed.