Effect of high surface area Pd electrodes on SOFC performance at 350°C

Nanostructured palladium, a mixed ionic electronic conductor, is investigated as a high surface area electrode material for low temperature solid oxide fuel cells. Fuel cell polarization studies show a nearly two-fold increase in current and power density at 350°C, although estimation of kinetic parameters suggests that the effect is not related directly to the electrode structuring. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy shows a significant difference in electrolyte conductivity, and the effects of the electrolyte-electrode interface cannot be ruled out as the source of differences in device performance. Progress in fabrication of vertically aligned nanowires on free-standing thin film electrolyte membranes is discussed briefly. However, the primary focus is on lyotropic phase deposition of mesoporous Pd.