Current collectors for a novel tubular design of solid oxide fuel cell

Current collection/interconnection of novel tubular solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) is achieved by means of alloy metal interconnects based on Ducrolloy (Cr5Fe1Y2O3) coated with various electronically conductive coatings. Coatings applied to the metal interconnect improve cell performance. For example, at 900°C in air, a Ag–La0.8Sr0.2CrO3 (Ag–LSC) coated interconnect is used in conjunction with an 8 mol% yttria stabilised zirconia (YSZ) tubular electrolyte based SOFC. At 0.7 V a cell performance of 40 mA/cm2 is achieved for the coated sample, compared with a lower performance of 16 mA/cm2 attained with an uncoated interconnect. The thermal shock resistant properties of the tubes are not compromised by use of the metal interconnect.