In this study, we employed an infiltration technique to create a nanostructured functional layer, enhancing the electrochemically active area in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). We infiltrated Pr₂NiO_4+δ (PNO) into a porous GDC electrolyte, resulting in a nanostructured catalytic layer. We characterized its microstructure and cross-sectional morphology using field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The electrochemical performance was assessed at 750°C with a NiO-YSZ/YSZ/GDC half-cell configuration. The reference cell without PNO infiltration achieved a maximum power density of 2.07 W/cm², while the cell with 0.05 M PNO infiltration reached an improved value of 2.55 W/cm². These results demonstrate that by optimizing the infiltration concentration of PNO, we can fabricate a high-performance nanostructured functional layer without adding extra thickness, confirming infiltration as an effective strategy for enhancing SOFC performance.

In this study, we developed a composite anode support composed of La-doped SrTiO₃ (LST) and Gd-doped CeO₂ (GDC) using a tape casting process for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). By adjusting the pore former content in the slurry, we constructed a bilayered structure consisting of a porous anode support layer (ASL) and a dense anode functional layer (AFL) with the same material composition. The number of tape-cast sheets was controlled to tailor the overall thickness, and lamination followed by co-sintering at 1250^oC resulted in a mechanically robust bilayer. We characterized the microstructural evolution concerning sintering temperature and pore former content using SEM, while XRD confirmed the phase stability of LST and GDC. The measured electrical conductivity at 750^oC ensured sufficient electron transport. To enhance interfacial adhesion and suppress secondary phase formation, we introduced a GDC buffer layer and a pre-sintering treatment prior to electrolyte deposition. A full cell with a YSZ electrolyte and LSCF cathode achieved a stable open circuit voltage of approximately 0.7 V and demonstrated continuous operation at 750^oC. These findings highlight the suitability of LST-GDC composite anodes as thermochemically stable supports, potentially enabling direct hydrocarbon utilization in intermediate-temperature SOFCs.

Improving the interfacial stability between cathode active material (CAM) and solid electrolyte (SE) is essential for enhancing the performance and durability of all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs). One promising method to achieve this is through surface coating with a chemically stable ion conductor, which helps suppress interfacial side reactions and improve long-term cycling stability. In this study, we deposited a uniform LiNbO3 (LNO) protective layer on NCA using particle atomic layer deposition (Particle ALD). This technique utilizes a self-limiting growth mechanism to ensure precise thickness control. We characterized the structural and chemical properties of the coated CAM with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), confirming the successful formation of a uniform LNO layer. Electrochemical evaluations revealed that LNO@NCA exhibited significantly improved capacity retention, maintaining 68.1% after 50 cycles at a 1C rate, compared to just 56.5% for the uncoated sample. This enhancement is attributed to the LNO layer's effectiveness in mitigating electrochemical side reactions. These findings demonstrate that Particle ALD-derived LNO coatings are an effective strategy for stabilizing CAM|SE interfaces and extending the cycle life of high-energy ASSBs.