ABSTRACT
A single cell planar solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) has been fabricated with the aim of using New Zealand natural gas as a fuel. This paper describes the electrode fabrication and properties as a function of their chemical and physical compatibility and conductivity. A series of La1-xSrxMnO3 air electrodes were synthesised using a fabrication technique which involved the formation of a polymer pre-cursor. Excellent adherance of electrodes was found, even for relatively high dopant levels. A series of Ni/yttria stabilised zirconia (YSZ) cermets were investigated as anodes as a function of their Ni loading and compatibility with the electrolyte. A single cell was fabricated using the above electrodes and yttria doped fully stabilised zirconia (FSZ) as the electrolyte. Further work is being undertaken to investigate the fuel cell characteristics, initially using methane as the fuel, but later studies will look at natural gas. The long term stability and the fabrication of a stacked planar system are also being investigated.
