Surface Modification of Commercial YSZ with SiO2 and SnO2 via Low-Temperature Chemical Vapor Deposition to Improve Electrochemical Performance

Abstract

Yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) is the most widely used anode material in solid oxide fuel cells. In this study, SiO2 and SnO2 nanofilms were grown by low-temperature chemical vapor deposition. Using the strong interaction between NiO and SiO2/SnO2, the NiO particles migrated to the surface of YSZ during calcination at 1,400°C to improve the electrochemical performance. By depositing SnO2 first and then SiO2, the polarization resistance can be reduced by the formation of SnNi alloy, and the power density of YSZ@SnO2@SiO2 anode is about 27% higher than that of unmodified Ni/YSZ anode at 650°C. The introduction of SiO2 can significantly improve the stability of the anode under reductive hydrothermal conditions. The strong interaction between ZrO2, SiO2, SnO2, and NiO components is the key to the optimal performance of YSZ@SnO2@SiO2.