Researchers highlight porous metal substrates for solid oxide fuel cells
January 13, 2025
Researchers from the University of Campinas, Spain, and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia, recently published a study in Ceramics International focused on the manufacture of porous metal substrates for solid oxide fuel cells.
Third-generation solid oxide fuel cells or metal-supported solid oxide fuel cells (MS-SOFCs) utilising metallic substrates for solid oxide fuel cell ceramic thin film deposition offer advantages in terms of weight, robustness, and thermal cycling compared to traditional first-generation (HT-SOFCs or high temperature-solid oxide fuel cells) supported by the electrolyte, and the second-generation (IT-SOFCs intermediate temperature SOFCs) supported by the anode or cathode designs. Interdiffusion between the porous metal substrates (PMSs) and the electrochemically active layers can, however, hinder long-term performance and durability.
This study focuses on two primary manufacturing techniques for PMSs applied in MS-SOFCs: tape casting and Powder Metallurgy. For Powder Metallurgy, detailed attention is given to the pressing stage and the evolution of microstructure during sintering.
The researchers detail advancements in manufacturing techniques for porous metal substrates, with a focus on scalable and cost-effective methods for producing high-quality PMSs, novel materials, and surface engineering techniques to enhance the properties required for creating complex, customised substrates. The paper also discusses the negative impact that substrate degradation can have on MS-SOFCs and strategies to mitigate this using a diffusion barrier layer (DBL) consisting of rare earth elements.
‘Porous metal substrates for solid oxide fuel cells: Manufacturing techniques and future perspectives’ is available here.
