SOFC Anode Sintering in Oxygen-Rich Atmosphere

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-temperature co-sintering of perovskite oxide and nickel oxide in solid oxide fuel cells leads to nickel oxide aggregation, increasing reaction resistance and reducing output, while low-temperature sintering impairs sintering of the perovskite oxide, also resulting in decreased output.

Innovation Solution

Firing a mixture of perovskite oxide and nickel compound in an oxygen-rich atmosphere at 1100° C. to 1350° C. to suppress nickel oxide aggregation and enhance sintering, maintaining a volume ratio of 50/50 to 75/25 for effective sintering and output enhancement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If co-sintering is performed at high temperature to sinter perovskite oxide, then sintering of perovskite oxide is improved, but nickel oxide aggregation increases and reaction resistance increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesintering of perovskite oxideVSAvoidreaction resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the atmospheric composition parameter by using an oxygen-rich atmosphere (50% or more oxygen by volume) during sintering, which suppresses nickel oxide aggregation while enabling perovskite oxide sintering at lower temperatures (1100-1350°C), thus resolving the contradiction between achieving good sintering and preventing nickel oxide aggregation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite mixture of perovskite oxide and nickel compound in specific volume ratios (50/50 to 75/25) that allows synergistic effects during sintering, where the perovskite oxide provides the matrix structure while nickel compound forms dispersed catalyst particles, achieving both good sintering and suppressed aggregation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method reduces reaction and DC resistance, increasing the output of solid oxide fuel cells by maintaining a high extent of sintering and suppressing nickel oxide aggregation, thereby improving the performance of the anode.

Implementation Method 1

Perovskite oxides having proton conductivity exhibit high conductivity in an intermediate temperature range

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectProton conductivity: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

In order to sinter a perovskite oxide to form a solid electrolyte, a heat treatment at high temperature is required

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSintering: Sintering

Implementation Method 3

firing a shaped product, which has been obtained in the first step, in an atmosphere containing 50% by volume or more of oxygen at 1100° C. to 1350° C. so as to generate an anode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentUS10193161B2Anode for solid oxide fuel cell and production method therefor, and method for producing electrolyte layer-electrode assembly for fuel cell

Publication Date: 2019.01.29 SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES LTD

AI summary

A method for producing an anode capable of increasing output of a solid oxide fuel cell is provided. The method for producing an anode for a solid oxide fuel cell includes a first step of shaping a mixture that contains a perovskite oxide having proton conductivity and a nickel compound and a second step of firing a shaped product, which has been obtained in the first step, in an atmosphere containing 50% by volume or more of oxygen at 1100° C. to 1350° C. so as to generate an anode.