Effects of Electrode Composition and Thickness on the Mechanical Performance of a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell

Xiurong Fang, Jiang Zhu and Zijing Lin
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Xiurong Fang: Department of Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, No. 96, JinZhai Road, Hefei 230026, China
Jiang Zhu: Department of Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, No. 96, JinZhai Road, Hefei 230026, China
Zijing Lin: Department of Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, No. 96, JinZhai Road, Hefei 230026, China

Energies, 2018, vol. 11, issue 7, 1-13

Abstract: Mechanical damage is a major factor limiting the long-term stability of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). Here, the mechanical stability of planar SOFCs consisting of Ni-YSZ anode/YSZ electrolyte/LSM-YSZ cathode (Ni=Nickel, YSZ=yttria-stabilized zirconia, LSM=lanthanum strontium manganite) is analyzed by a structural mechanics model with composition dependent mechanical properties. Influencing factors considered include: the Ni and LSM volume fractions, the thicknesses of anode, cathode and electrolyte layers, and the cell types of anode-, cathode-, and electrolyte-supported designs. It is found that (i) the anode failure probability increases with the Ni content. However, SOFCs remain mechanically safe if the Ni volume fraction is below 65%. (ii) An LSM volume fraction of over 40% is required to maintain the mechanical integrity of cathode. (iii) For an anode-supported cell with a 20 μm thick electrolyte, the anode thickness should be more than 0.5 mm to be mechanically stable. (iv) The anode-supported cell is found to be mechanically safer than that of the electrolyte-supported cell.

Keywords: SOFC; porous composite material; structural mechanics; thermal stress; failure probability; compressive stress strength ratio (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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