Microstructure-property relations of solid oxide fuel cells. Microstructural design of cathodes and current collectors

Microstructure-property relations of solid oxide fuel cells are studied using ZrO₂-In₂O₃ as a model electrolyte/electrode, and ZrO₂(Y₂O₃)-La_{0 85}Sr_0.15MnO₃-Pt mesh as a model electrolyte/electrode/current collector. Electrochemical performance of the cells depends strongly on the microstructure of electrode as well as the geometry of the current collectors. A decrease in effective electrode area occurs both on the microscopic level with a coarse and inhomogeneous electrode microstructure and on the microscopic level with a wide contact spacing of the current collectors. Microstructure tailoring as well as the current collector geometry becomes important with decreasing operation temperature of the fuel cells.