Microstructure and Cell Performance of NiO–YSZ Composite Anode-Supported Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Using Graphite as Anode Pore-Former: Effects of Graphite Particle Size and HNO3 Treatment

The influences of graphite particle size and HNO 3 treatment on microstructure and cell performance of the NiO–YSZ anode-supported solid oxide fuel cells were investigated. The peak power density for the cells using 1, 3, and 6 μm graphite was 679, 603, and 549 mW/cm 2 , respectively. HNO 3 treatment was an efficient approach to improve the wettability of graphite in water, to modify the microstructure and to enhance the cell performance. The peak power density for the cell using HNO 3 -treated graphite (1 μm) was 766 mW/cm 2 , approximately 13% higher than that of the cell using pristine graphite.