A Study of Electrical Characterization of Nano-structured Copper Cermet Anode Material for ITSOFC through GNP

Abstract

The samples belonging to CuxCe1-xO2-δ (x = 0.05, 0.1, 0.3, 0.4.0.5 and 0.6) series prepared by glycine-nitrate process (GNP) using
copper nitrate, cerium nitrate and glycine as a fuel. The XRD confirms the formation of CuxCe1-xO2-δ. The solid solubility limit for CuxCe1-xO2-δ is up to x = 0.3. The crystallite size of anode materials decreases with the increasing content of Cu. The addition of Cu increases the porosity. The highest conductivity 3.4 × 10-2 Scm-1 is achieved for x = 0.6 and that of x = 0.5 is 2.5 × 10-2 Scm-1 at 660 ºC before reduction. It is found that from mechanical strength point of view CuxCe1-xO2-δ anode material for x = 0.5 is suitable than other compositions. The electrochemical performance and anode /electrolyte/anode interface of CuxCe1-xO2-δ anode is studied after
reduction in 10%H2+90%N2 and in humidified 10%H2+90%N2 using impedance spectroscopy. The conductivity is maximum for the Cell-800 at Cell-700 ºC having lowest ASR 155.24 and 54.65 ohm cm2 in 10%H2+90%N2 and humidified 10%H2+90%N2 respectively. Thus, the combustion synthesis method is found to be more promising for obtaining the suitable anode material for solid oxide full cell (SOFC) application.