Thermal Plasma Spraying Applied on Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), attractive for diverse applications in a broad range from small portable and auxiliary power units, up to central power systems, are conventionally produced by sintering methods. However, plasma spraying promises some advantages particularly for cells with metal support. In the present paper, research activities conducted in recent years at DLR as well as latest developments on plasma sprayed functional layers for SOFC as cathodes, electrolytes, and anodes are reported. Power densities of more than 800 mW/cm2 were achieved for plasma sprayed single cells of 12.56 cm2 size, and 300 mW/cm2, respectively, with a 250 W stack made of 10 cells. These values were attained at 0.7 V and 800 °C, with H2:N2 = 1:1 as fuel gas and air as oxidizing gas. Furthermore, continuous operation of more than 5000 h was attained with a plasma sprayed metal-supported SOFC stack which could also withstand more than 30 redox and thermal cycles.