Novel design of microchanneled tubular solid oxide fuel cells and synthesis using a multipass extrusion process

A novel, microchanneled tubular solid oxide fuel cell was fabricated using a multipass extrusion process, with an outside diameter of 2.7 mm that contained 61 cells. Cell materials used in this work were 8 mol% yttria-stabilized zirconia (8YSZ), La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 (LSM), and NiO-8YSZ (50:50 vol%) as electrolyte, cathode, and anode, respectively. Three stages of heat-treatment processes were applied, at 700 degrees C in N-2 condition, at 1000 degrees C in air, and then sintered at 1300 degrees C for 2 h, respectively. The X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed that no reaction phases appeared after sintering. The microstructures of anode and cathode were fairly porous while the electrolyte had a dense microstructure (relative density > 96%). The thickness of electrolyte, anode, and cathode were 20, 30, and 40 mu m, respectively, and the diameter of the continuous channels was 150 mu m.