Manufacturability of bolt-microtubular anode supports for solid oxide fuel cells

• Published in: Journal of power sources Vol. 592; p. 233971
• Main Authors: Timurkutluk, Bora, Onbilgin, Sezer, Altan, Tolga, Timurkutluk, Cigdem
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.02.2024
• Subjects: Bolt-microtubular; Isostatic pressing; Manufacturability; Microtubular; Solid oxide fuel cell; Tape casting; Microtubular; Manufacturability; Solid oxide fuel cell; Bolt-microtubular; Tape casting; Isostatic pressing
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2023.233971

The effects of anode support tape length on the manufacturability and level of surface patterning in bolt-microtubular anode supports (BMASs) for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are investigated in this study. Continuous anode support tapes of ∼5–25 cm are wrapped on a threaded rod for this purpose and five-layered bolt-microtubular cells (BMCs) are manufactured on these supports. Similarly, microtubular anode supports (MASs) by using a pin and corresponding microtubular cells (MCs) are also fabricated and examined for comparison. The tape lengths ≤9.9 cm yield mechanically unstable BMASs or BMSs due to fractures that occur during sintering in the anode supports or during testing in the cells. The electrochemical performance tests show that all BMCs exhibit relatively higher performances compared to those of MCs for a certain tape length. The highest maximum power density of 0.479 Wcm−2 at 800 °C operating temperature is obtained from BMC prepared with 12 cm long anode support tape, whereas that of MC fabricated with the same anode support length is measured as 0.313 Wcm2 under the same testing conditions. The impedance measurements reveal that the improvement in the cell performances is due to reduced electrode polarization resistance achieved by the bolt-like microtube design. •Bolt-microtubular anode supports are fabricated using ∼5-25 cm long tapes.•Different tape lengths result in different surface patterns on the outer surface.•Tape length should be > 9.9 cm to obtain structurally stable bolt-microtubular cell.•The cell performance is improved by ∼53 % with bolt-microtubular design.•Increase in performance is due to reduced electrode resistance by surface patterns.