High-performance ultra-thin film solid oxide fuel cell using anodized-aluminum-oxide supporting structure

Abstract

An ultra-thin-film, low-temperature, high performing solid-oxide fuel cell (LT-SOFC) was successfully fabricated on an anodized aluminumoxide (AAO)supporting structure via atomic layer deposition (ALD). A dense and pinholefree layer of hybrid platinum(Pt) was applied to reduce the size of the substrate pores, in order to facilitate the development of a dense electrolyte on the Pt electrodewhile maintaining the gaseous fuel access. As a result,about 180 nm-thick yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolytewas successfully depositedwithout pinholes. This ultra-thin-film, AAO-supported LT-SOFC demonstrates the highest performancewith amaximumpower density of 380 mW/cm2 at an operating temperature of 450 °C..