HYDROGEN APPLICATION FOR ENERGY PRODUCTION: ELECTROCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELLS

Hydrogen is a clean and renewable fuel for a sustainable energy economy. Its energy applications are increasing with the growing of an environmental conscience and the necessity of alternative energy systems.
Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) is an emerging technology in hydrogen-based energy production, because of its high performance, high power density, high efficiencies and reduced emissions over conventional power generation technologies. Currently, planar anode supported cells are the most promising SOFCs, thanks to their high energy density and the low fabrication costs, if compared with tubular SOFCs.
The aim of the present work is to study the physical characterisation and the electrochemical behaviour of planar anode supported SOFCs, produced through different techniques: tape casting and screen printing. SEM, XRD and microanalyses have been used to investigate the microstructure of the electrodes and electrolyte before and after services.
The electrochemical behaviour of every single cell stack (anode-electrolyte-cathode) has been studied through Open Circuit Voltage (OCV) measurements, and Polarisation Analysis (I-V performances) at the temperature range between 750 and 900°C, using a specific device developed in our laboratory.
Experimental results show the influence of microstructure on electrochemical behaviour and clear up the effect of different solutions adopted to fabricate electrolyte/electrode interlayer on the cell performance.