Solid Oxide Fuel Cells with 3D Inkjet Printing Modified LSM-YSZ Interface

The geometry of the electrode/electrolyte interface is critical to solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) performance. Adding 3D microstructures on electrode/electrolyte interface may enhance the performance of SOFCs potentially. In this study, the pillar shape yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) 3D microstructures with ~ 60 m to 90 m diameter were fabricated by 3D inkjet printing on the interface of electrolyte and cathode to increase the TPB area and enhance the connection between the dense YSZ electrolyte and mixed YSZ ionic conductor. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) is utilized to assess the morphology and microstructure of the YSZ interface. To investigate the influence of the modified interface on the performance of the SOFC, electrochemical performance testing and characterization are conducted for the SOFCs with/without the modified YSZ layer. SOFCs performance is investigated with a different number of printed interfacial layers fabricated with the 3D inkjet printer.