Improved microstructure of Ni-YSZ cermet anode for SOFC with a long term stability

In order to achieve a long term stability in electric power generation of solid oxide fuel cells, a new conceptual Ni-YSZ cermet anode was proposed. This new anode had a solid framework constructed with coarse YSZ particles bridged by fine YSZ powders. This new anode was compared with our conventional material which showed sharp degradation within tens of hours. Changes of this new anode in porosity and volume shrinkage on reduction of NiO to Ni and during cell operation were smaller than those of conventional anode, The overpotential of the new anode did not increase during an operation over 2,500 hours at 1273 K.