High performance Ni-Sm₂O₃ cermet anodes for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells

A novel anode consisting of Ni and Sm₂O₃ with negligible oxygen-ion conductivity was developed for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). Its triple phase boundary length is pretty small compared with the conventional Ni-samaria doped ceria (SDC) anode, of which SDC is one of the electrolytes having high oxygen-ion conductivity. Even so, single cells with Ni-Sm₂O₃ anodes generated peak power density of 542 mW cm^-2 at 600 °C, comparable to, if not higher than those with the Ni-SDC anodes when the same cathodes and electrolytes were applied. In addition, Ni-Sm₂O₃ exhibited lower interfacial polarization resistance than Ni-SDC. The high electrochemical performance, which might be related to the high catalytic activity of Sm₂O₃ and the unique microstructures of the Ni-Sm₂O₃, suggests a viable alternative to the conventional anodes for SOFCs.