Gadolinia-doped ceria and yttria stabilized zirconia interfaces: regarding their application for SOFC technology

Abstract For solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) operating at intermediate temperatures the adjacency of the state-of-the-art yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolyte with ceria-based materials to both anodic and cathodic sides is regarded as crucial for the effectiveness of the cell. Solid-state reaction, however, and interdiffusion phenomena between YSZ and ceria-based materials can cause degradation of the electrolyte. When a gadolinia-doped-ceria (GDC) layer is used to protect YSZ against interaction with Co-containing cathodes, an unfavorable solid state reaction at the YSZ–GDC interface can be efficiently suppressed when a thin (≤1 μm thick) interlayer with nominal composition of Ce 0.43 Zr 0.43 Gd 0.10 Y 0.04 O 1.93 is incorporated at the interface. When ceria is to be employed at the electrolyte–anode interface to reduce polarization losses, use of a ceria–40% vol Ni cermet is recommended, since suppression of the reactivity between YSZ and ceria can also be achieved in the presence of Ni.