Surface Modification of NiFe Anode for Thin-Film Solid-Oxide Fuel Cell

A dense NiO-Fe2O3 (NiFe) pellet has been developed as a potential anode -support for thin-film solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). However, preparation of dense NiFe is very challenging. Hole-formed NiFe pellets or porous NiFe pellets are frequently formed, which cannot be used as a support (substrate) for thin-film SOFCs. Therefore, this hole-formed NiFe support is simply wasted. In this report, we attempt to re-qualify this NiFe support to be a valuable substrate, which can be used for fabricating thin-film SOFCs. By deposition of smaller NiFe particles to cover the hole-formed NiFe support, the surface of this NiFe pellet is modified. Large holes on the surface disappear. The newly formed NiFe support can be used for fabricating a single cell with La0.9Sr0.1Ga0.8Mg0.2O3-delta as thinfilm electrolyte operated at intermediate temperature. Maximum power density generated from this cell is 0.45, 0.86 and 1.28 W cm-2 at 873, 923 and 973 K, respectively.