EFFECT OF RHODIUM INFILTRATION ON THE MICROSTRUCTURE AND PERFORMANCE OF Ni/Ce۰.۸Gd۰.۲O۲-δ CERMET ANODE FOR LOW TEMPERATURE SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL

In order to further enhance the Ni/Ce ۰.۸Gd۰.۲O۲-δ (Ni/GDC۲۰) cermet anodic performance for low temperature solid oxide fuel cell (LT-SOFC), a study was conducted on the nanostructuring of NiO/GDC composite by only once wet-infiltration of rhodium chloride precursor. By using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis, the effect of only one drop of Rh-infiltrating solution on the anodic polarization resistance was examined using symmetric Ni–GDC۲۰|GDC۲۰|Pt electrolyte-supported cell at ۴۰۰-۶۰۰ °C. Nanostructural evolution before and after H ۲ reduction at ۶۰۰ °C and also after anodic performance test was investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques in comparison to the anode itself. Despite the fine distribution of Rh-infiltrated nanoparticles having average particle size of ۱۱.۷ nm, the results showed ineffectiveness and inability of the Rh nanoparticles to succeed in decreasing of anodic polarization resistance for H ۲ oxidation reaction in LT-SOFC.

Keywords:

LT-SOFC , anode , Ni/GDC cermet , infiltration , rhodium catalyst.