SDC-infiltrated microporous silver membrane with superior resistance to thermal agglomeration for cathode-supported solid oxide fuel cells

Abstract

This work presents a microporous silver cathode membrane reinforced with infiltration of samarium-doped ceria (SDC). The ion-conducting SDC effectively confines the surface of a porous silver membrane to maintain microporous structure and prevents the electrode agglomeration. SDC precursor solution is fired together with silver membrane at 700 °C for 2 h and formed as a nanocrystalline SDC on the silver pore surface. The SDC-infiltrated microporous silver membrane shows superior resistance to agglomeration without noticeable change in microstructures even at 900 °C for 12 h, which makes it promising for the application of solid oxide fuel cells as a cathode support.