A cost-effective process for fabrication of metal-supported solid oxide fuel cells

Metal-supported SOFC cells with Y₂O₃ stabilized ZrO₂ as the electrolyte were prepared by a low cost and simple process involving tape casting, screen printing and co-firing. The interfaces were well bonded after the reduction of NiO to Ni in the support and the anode. AC impedance was employed to estimate the cell polarizations under open circuit conditions. It was found that the electrode polarization resistance was high at low temperatures and became equivalent to the ohmic resistance at higher temperatures near 800°°C. The cell performance was evaluated with H₂ as the fuel and air as the oxidant, and maximum power density between 0.23 and 0.80  W/cm² was achieved in the temperature range of 650–800°C, which confirms the applicability of the cost-effective process in fabrication of metal-supported SOFC cells.