A MODIFIED ANODE/ELECTROLYTE STRUCTURE FOR A SOLID OXIDE ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL AND A METHOD FOR MAKING SAID STRUCTURE

摘要

A novel modified anode/electrolyte structure for a solid oxide electrochemical cell is an assembly comprising (a) an anode consisting of a backbone of electronically conductive perovskite oxides selected from the group of doped strontium titanates and mixtures thereof, (b) a scandia and yttria-stabilised zirconium oxide electrolyte and (c) a metallic and/or a ceramic electrocatalyst in the shape of interlayers incorporated in the interface between the anode and the electrolyte. This assembly is first sintered at a given temperature and then at a lower temperature in reducing gas mixtures. These heat treatments resulted in a distribution of the metallic and/or ceramic interlayers in the electrolyte/anode backbone junction taking place. The structure is prepared by (a) depositing a ceramic interlayer onto one side of the electrolyte, (b) optionally applying a metallic interlayer thereon, (c) repeating steps (a) and (b), (d) applying a layer of the selected anode backbone onto the electrolyte with applied interlayers, (e) sintering the raw assembly and (f) infiltrating the electrocatalyst precursor into the sintered assembly and heat treating the assembly to incorporate additional electrocatalyst into the anode backbone.