Characterization of Pt/Ni Alloy Electrode with YSZ Capping Layer for Improvement of Si-Based μ-SOFC

Achieving global carbon neutrality is essential to limiting global warming to 1.5°C, and environmentally friendly technologies, such as fuel cells, play a critical role in this effort. Among these, Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) have emerged as a promising next-generation energy source due to their high efficiency and power density. However, conventional SOFCs operate at temperatures exceeding 700°C, which leads to material degradation and higher costs, presenting significant challenges for widespread commercialization. To overcome these issues, micro-SOFCs (μ-SOFCs), which utilize nano-membrane structures featuring nanoscale electrolytes and electrodes, have been proposed to enable electrochemical reactions at lower temperatures.

A key challenge in the development of μ-SOFCs is the limited ionic conductivity and instability at the Pt/YSZ interface and electrode, which reduces the electrochemical reaction rates and compromises thermal and mechanical stability due to the formation of complex oxides and the agglomeration at the electrode. This phenomenon, particularly pronounced in Pt-based electrodes, reduces active surface area and catalytic activity while increasing interfacial resistance, ultimately compromising performance and longevity. Understanding the mechanisms driving agglomeration and its effects on electrochemical stability is critical. Addressing this issue is key to enhancing μ-SOFC durability and advancing its application for efficient energy conversion in carbon-neutral systems. Therefore, to mitigate the agglomeration of the electrode, Pt/Ni alloy electrode and YSZ capping layer have been studied to solve these challenges.

In this study, we integrated Pt/Ni alloy for the electrode into μ-SOFC designs using the magnetron sputtering method and YSZ capping layer using the atomic layer deposition method. This integration significantly improved both the performance and durability of μ-SOFCs at reduced operating temperatures, enhancing overall system efficiency. The focus of this research is on the design and fabrication of μ-SOFCs with Pt/Ni alloy for the electrode and YSZ capping layer, demonstrating a promising approach for the development of next-generation μ-SOFCs that contribute to global carbon neutrality.


This work was supported by the Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute (KEITI) (Ministry of Environment) under the Training DX-based Carbon Supply Network Environmental Experts program, the Korea CCUS Association(K-CCUS) grant funded by the Korea Government (MOE, MOTIE) (KCCUS20230001, Human Resources Program for Reduction of greenhouse gases), the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT) (MOTIE, RS-2024-00409639)