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Opportunities and Challenges in Materials Development for Thin Film Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Author(s) -
Litzelman S. J.,
Hertz J. L.,
Jung W.,
Tuller H. L.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
fuel cells
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.485
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 1615-6854
pISSN - 1615-6846
DOI - 10.1002/fuce.200800034
Subject(s) - materials science , oxide , nanotechnology , fuel cells , fabrication , solid oxide fuel cell , grain boundary , thin film , electrolyte , carbon footprint , engineering physics , metastability , chemical engineering , microstructure , metallurgy , electrode , chemistry , greenhouse gas , engineering , medicine , ecology , alternative medicine , organic chemistry , pathology , biology
Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are currently the focus of intense investigation given their high chemical‐to‐electrical energy conversion efficiency and low carbon footprint. In this review, the development of thin film SOFCs, sometimes described as ‘micro‐SOFCs', is highlighted and analysed. Opportunities for reduced temperature operation and portable power generation arise from the decreased thickness of the solid electrolyte, as well at the metastable phases and nanoscale‐dependent effects that are a consequence of the reduced temperature of fabrication. Challenges such as enhanced cation diffusion along grain boundaries are; however, also observed, potentially impacting the long‐term stability of these devices. Recent progress achieved in understanding these and other challenges are reviewed and directions for future work identified.