Effect of Different Number of Coating for Anode Functional Layer on the Performance of Proton Ceramic Fuel Cell

The effect of different numbers of anode functional layers (AFL) on the performance of an anode-supported proton ceramic fuel cell (PCFC) was investigated. Button cells of NiO-BCZY (50:50) | BCZY | LSCF (BCZY = BaCe₀.₅₄Zr₀.₃₆Y₀.₁O₂.₉₅) were fabricated with 3, 6, and 9 layers of AFL consisting of NiO-BCZY (10:90). Microstructural images clearly show that the button cell with 3 AFL layers exhibits better contact between the anode and electrolyte layers. Both the polarization resistance (RP) and ohmic resistance (Ro) of cell A (3 layers) were lower than those of cell B (6 layers) and cell C (9 layers). At 800°C, the RP decreased from 79.6 Ωcm² for cell C (9 layers) to 19.3 Ωcm² for cell A (3 layers). Similarly, the RP for cell B (6 layers) decreased from 11.2 Ωcm² to 9.2 Ωcm² for cell A. These results suggest that increasing the number of AFLs may reduce cell performance by hindering hydrogen ion diffusion, as the ions must travel a longer pathway, leading to higher polarization resistance.