Boosting Electrochemical Performance of a Nanocomposite Ni-GDC Anode via Oxygen Vacancy and Ni Dispersion Modulation for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) have gained significant attention as highly efficient energy conversion devices. Enhancing the overall performance of SOFCs relies on the development of efficient anode materials. In this study, an impregnation approach is proposed to improve the electrochemical performance of the nanocomposite Ni-GDC anode by modulating oxygen vacancies and Ni dispersion. This method successfully achieves well-dispersed Ni nanoparticles and adequate oxygen vacancies in the NiO-GDC anode, resulting in excellent TPBs and catalytic activity for SOFCs. The NiO-GDC nanocomposite exhibits a significant improvement in electrochemical activity, reaching a peak power density of 0.37 W/cm2 at 850 °C. Moreover, it demonstrates remarkable durability with a degradation rate of only 0.1%/h at −380 mA/cm2. This study provides valuable insights into the modulation of oxygen vacancies and Ni dispersion in nanocomposite Ni-GDC anodes, underscoring their potential as high-performance materials for solid oxide fuel cells. These findings contribute to the advancement of superior anode materials with improved electrochemical performance, holding tremendous potential for the development of more efficient and reliable SOFCs.