Formation and Electrochemical Activity of Nanostructured Anodes of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells in Hydrogen-Containing Atmospheres

A comparative analysis of the features of the formation, morphology, and electrochemical activity of composite anodes of solid oxide fuel cells was performed using nanosized particles of NiO and Ce0.8Gd0.2O2 – δ. The direct introduction of NiO nanoparticles into cermet composition leads to technological problems during screen printing of electrode layers associated with the oxidation of organic components of electrode pastes with oxygen, which is desorbed from the NiO surface. Such problems can be solved by pre-heating treatment of NiO. However, this treatment and subsequent firing of the anodes leads to an increase in the particle size to submicron. An increase in electrochemical activity can be achieved by impregnating the anodes with the formation of nanosized catalytically active particles on their surface.