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Silver composites as highly stable cathode current collectors for solid oxide fuel cells

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 June 2012

Ayhan Sarikaya
Affiliation:
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, Missouri 65409
Vladimir Petrovsky
Affiliation:
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, Missouri 65409
Fatih Dogan*
Affiliation:
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, Missouri 65409
*
a)Address all correspondence to this author. e-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Time stability of the solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) has been a significant concern toward realization of their practical applications. Its operation at elevated temperatures and in oxidizing atmospheres makes the cathode current collector one of the most vulnerable components of the SOFCs. Silver and silver-based metal oxide [lanthanum–strontium manganite (LSM) and yttria-stabilized zirconia] composites were investigated for the development of low-cost current collectors with long-term stability. While densification of pure silver limited its use as current collector, incorporation of oxide particles to the silver matrix led to formation of porous composites. However, addition of YSZ particles did not result in a stable porosity. Analysis of the impedance spectra allowed further investigations on the obtained microstructures and the formed contacts. No microstructural degradation has been observed in the porous Ag–LSM composite current collector and its electrical properties remained stable for over 5000 h of measurements at 800 °C in air.

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Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2012

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