Solid oxide fuel cell membranes supported by nickel grid anode

Microfabricated solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) have been integrated onto silicon substrates to explore their performance characteristics. The objective of this study was to analyze the performance of SOFC membranes, which incorporated a sputter-deposited 8YSZ electrolyte layer of 750 nm thickness supported notably by a nickel grid anode. The grid's design exhibited either a hexagonal or spiderweb pattern, achieving a maximal free-standing length of 80 μm and a height between 4 to 6 μm. Methodologically, the membranes were designed with a diameter of up to 5 mm and evaluated for mechanical stability at temperatures up to 550 °C. The completed SOFC configurations, which included porous platinum anodes and cathodes, were subjected to testing, revealing a peak open circuit voltage (OCV) of 280 mV at 450 °C while using a hydrogen and argon mixture at the anode. The results indicate that these microfabricated cells could potentially lead to more efficient portable power solutions compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries, while also impacting microfabrication techniques in the field. The study further emphasizes the need for investigating the causes behind the observed lower OCV values.