Nanomaterials for solid oxide fuel cells: A review

Nanotechnology is utilized well in the development and improvement of the performance in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs). The high operating temperature of SOFCs (700-900 degrees C) has resulted in serious demerits regarding their overall performance and durability. Therefore, the operating temperature has been reduced to an intermediate temperature range of approximately 400-700 degrees C which improved performance and, subsequently, commercialized SOFCs as portable power sources. However, at reduced temperature, challenges such as an increase in internal resistance of the fuel cell components arise. Although, this may not be as serious as problems encountered at high temperature, it still significantly affects the performance of SOFCs. This review paper addresses the work of researchers in the application of nanotechnology in fabricating SOFCs through distinct methods. These methods have successfully omitted or at least reduced the internal resistance and showed considerable improvement in power density of the SOFCs at reduced temperatures.