Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Electrode Binding via NiO Diffuser Plate

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for manufacturing solid oxide fuel cells face challenges in achieving optimal binding properties between the fuel electrode and the electrolyte layer, leading to high interfacial resistance and limited reaction sites.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the preparation of a fuel electrode using oxygen ion conductive inorganic particles and NiO, with a diffuser plate made of alumina, zirconia, or ceria, to control the NiO distribution during sintering, resulting in a sintered fuel electrode with reduced NiO surface content and enhanced binding with the electrolyte layer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fuel electrode is prepared using conventional sintering methods without a diffuser plate, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the binding property with the electrolyte layer is insufficient and interfacial resistance is high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebinding propertyVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A diffuser plate is introduced as an intermediary component during the sintering process. The diffuser plate temporarily contacts the fuel electrode green sheet, enabling controlled diffusion of NiO particles to the surface during sintering. After sintering, the diffuser plate is removed, leaving the fuel electrode with optimized NiO distribution for improved binding properties with the electrolyte layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The diffuser plate is positioned in contact with the fuel electrode green sheet before sintering begins. This preliminary arrangement ensures that during the subsequent sintering process, NiO particles will diffuse to the surface in a controlled manner, preparing the optimal surface composition for electrolyte layer bonding before the actual bonding step occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If NiO content on the fuel electrode surface is high, then the fuel electrode has good catalytic activity, but the binding property with the electrolyte layer deteriorates and interfacial resistance increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebinding propertyVSAvoidinterfacial resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fuel electrode is designed with non-uniform NiO distribution: the bulk maintains sufficient NiO content for structural integrity and catalytic function, while the surface has controlled NiO content (70 parts by weight or less based on 100 parts by weight of the opposite surface) to optimize binding with the electrolyte layer. The diffuser plate enables this local differentiation during sintering.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the fuel electrode surface has uniform NiO distribution, then the catalytic activity is consistent, but the binding property with the electrolyte layer is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebinding propertyVSAvoidNiO distribution control
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The diffuser plate serves as a mediator that disrupts uniform NiO distribution during sintering by providing a surface that promotes NiO particle migration to specific areas. This controlled non-uniform distribution optimizes the interface with the electrolyte layer while maintaining sufficient catalytic activity in the bulk fuel electrode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The method increases the binding property and reduces interfacial resistance between the fuel electrode and the electrolyte layer, creating more reaction sites and improving the overall efficiency and stability of the solid oxide fuel cell.

Implementation Method 1

bringing a diffuser plate, which includes at least one of alumina, zirconia, ceria, and yttria stabilized zirconia, into contact with one surface of the fuel electrode green sheet or the pellet; preparing a fuel electrode by sintering the fuel electrode green sheet or the pellet that the diffuser plate is brought into contact with

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 2

preparing a fuel electrode by sintering the fuel electrode green sheet or the pellet that the diffuser plate is brought into contact with

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSintering: Sintering

Data Source

PatentEP3343683B1Solid oxide fuel cell manufacturing method, solid oxide fuel cell and cell module comprising same
Publication Date: 2020.07.29 LG CHEM LTD
  • EP3343683B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3343683B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3343683B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present specification relates to a method for manufacturing a solid oxide fuel cell, a solid oxide fuel cell and a cell module including the same.