title: Nanoporous silver cathode surface treated by atomic layer deposition of CeO(x) for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells.
abstract: We evaluated the performance of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) with a 50 nm thin silver (Ag) cathode surface treated with cerium oxide (CeO(x)) by atomic layer deposition (ALD). The performances of bare and ALD-treated Ag cathodes were evaluated on gadolinia-doped ceria (GDC) electrolyte supporting cells with a platinum (Pt) anode over 300 °C-450 °C. Our work confirms that ALD CeO(x) treatment enhances cathodic performance and thermal stability of the Ag cathode. The performance difference between cells using a Ag cathode optimally treated with an ALD CeO(x) surface and a reference Pt cathode is about 50% at 450 °C in terms of fuel cell power output in our experiment. The bare Ag cathode completely agglomerated into islands during fuel cell operation at 450 °C, while the ALD CeO(x) treatment effectively protects the porosity of the cathode. We also discuss the long-term stability of ALD CeO(x)-treated Ag cathodes related to the microstructure of the layers.
authors.affiliation: Renewable Energy System Laboratory, School of Mechanical Engineering, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 136-713, Korea.
authors.forename: Ke Chean
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Neoh
authors.forename: Gwon Deok
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Manjin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jun Woo
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hyung Jong
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Suk Won
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Joon Hyung
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Shim