High-performance cathode-supported solid oxide fuel cells with copper cermet anodes

► Cu–SDC cermet anodes enable fuel flexible operation of SOFCs. ► LSF infiltrated cathodes exhibit low interfacial polarizations. ► Maximum power densities of 0.36–0.40 W cm −2 are obtained at 800 °C for propane, dodecane and low sulfur diesel. Thin film solid oxide fuel cells, composed of thin coatings of 8 mol% Y 2 O 3 -stabilized ZrO 2 (YSZ), thick substrates of infiltrated La 0.8 S 0.2 FeO 3 (LSF)–YSZ cathodes and CuO–SDC (Ce 0.85 Sm 0.15 O 1.925 )–ceria anodes, are fabricated using the conventional tape casting and infiltration methods. Infiltrated LSF–YSZ cathodes exhibit a much lower interfacial polarization resistance than (La 0.8 Sr 0.2 ) 0.98 MnO 3 (LSM)–YSZ cathodes due to the mixed ionic and electronic conducting behavior of LSF, especially at low operation temperatures. The single cell has shown good and stable performance in hydrogen and hydrocarbon fuels. Maximum power densities for hydrogen, propane, dodecane and low sulfur diesel at 800 °C are 0.62 W cm −2 , 0.40 W cm −2 , 0.37 W cm −2 and 0.36 W cm −2 , respectively.