Performances of micro-tubular solid oxide cell with novel asymmetric porous hydrogen electrode

Asymmetric-porous hollow-fiber has been fabricated by a phase-inversion process and employed as the hydrogen electrode for micro-tubular solid oxide cell (MT-SOC). The microstructure and electrochemical properties of MT-SOC were investigated in detail. The asymmetric-porous hydrogen electrode possesses unique two layer finger-like porous micro-structure with a thin functional layer and a thick fuel delivery layer. When the MT-SOC was operated in fuel cell mode, maximum power densities of 0.54, 0.71 and 1.25 W/cm² were obtained at 800, 850 and 900 °C, respectively. On the other hand, when the MT-SOC was operated in electrolysis mode at 900 °C with an applied voltage of 1.3 V, current densities of 0.68 A/cm² and 2.57 A/cm² were obtained at 30 vol.% and 80 vol.% absolute humidity (AH), respectively. These results indicate that novel-microstructured MT-SOC can be effectively fabricated towards high performance fuel cell and electrolysis cell.