Nanocomposites and nanomaterials

Optimization of solid oxide fuel cell anode material for operation in the carbon-containing operating environment
Podhurska V.Ya.1, Danilenko I.A.2, Vasyliv B.D.1, Shylo A.V.2, Ostash O.P.1
1 Department of Hydrogen Technologies and Alternative Energy Materials, Karpenko Physico-Mechanical Institute of the NAS of Ukraine, 5 Naukova str., Lviv 79060, Ukraine.
E-mail: podhurskavika@gmail.com
2 Department of Physical Materials Science, Donetsk Institute for Physics and Engineering of the NAS of Ukraine, 46 Nauki ave., Kyiv 03028, Ukraine. 

The physical properties and phase composition of powders for the synthesis of ceramics of the ZrO2 – Y2O3 – Al2O3 – NiO – CuO system, intended for the production of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) anodes, as well as the physical and mechanical properties of this ceramic obtained by sintering powders at different temperatures, in the initial state and after a single reduction at 600°C in mixtures of Ar – 5% H2 and N2–10% H2–5% CO2 were studied. The modes of obtaining anode material of composition 50% (ZrO2 - 8 mol% Y2O3 + 2 wt% Al2O3) + 50% (NiO + 5 wt% CuO) with optimization of temperature range determination are optimized: calcination of nanopowders at 700°С; sintering at 1400–1450°С. The variants of ceramics for anodes-substrates of SOFC obtained by these modes have a fine grain and homogeneous structure and, accordingly, 1.25–1.50 times higher strength and electrical conductivity than materials obtained by calcination of powders at 900°С. No signs of contamination of the anode material with carbon compounds during its reduction at 600°C in a hydrogen-containing medium with carbon dioxide (N2–10% H2–5% CO2) and no decrease in the strength and electrical conductivity of cermet compared to reduced in a mixture of Ar – 5% H2.