Realizing a Robust High-Performance Ni-GDC Nanocomposite Anode for SOFCs by Self-Assembly of Reactive Cosputtered Nanolayers.

Liang, Fuyuan; Su, Yunpeng; Zhou, Peiru; Pan, Zehua; Yao, Penghui; Bian, Liuzhen; Jiao, Zhenjun; Yan, Zilin et al. · Nano Lett · 2025

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

This study reports a fast and scalable route for fabricating efficient and durable SOFCs, leveraging nickel oxide-gadolinium-doped ceria (NiO-GDC) nanocomposites and thin-film electrolytes based on reactive sputtering. The Ni and GdCe targets are first cosputtered to form films with a stack-layered structure of metallic Ni and GDC, followed by sputtering YZr and GdCe targets alternatively to make multilayer electrolytes. By annealing the sputtered anode-electrolyte assembly with the La<sub>0.6</sub>Sr<sub>0.4</sub>Co<sub>0.2</sub>Fe<sub>0.8</sub>O<sub>3-δ</sub> cathode in a single step at 1000 °C, full cells feature heterostructure ceramic multilayers; NiO-GDC nanocomposites with heterointerfaces are <i>in situ</i> constructed, while the multilayer electrolytes are fully dense. The electrochemical performance is significantly enhanced by the insertion of the NiO-GDC nanocomposite anode and the optimization of the film configuration, achieving a peak power density of 2.72 W cm<sup>-2</sup> at 800 °C. Furthermore, no degradation is observed during the stability test, and the fine porous nanostructure of the Ni-GDC anode is preserved.