OXIDE-ION DIFFUSION IMAGING IN AN ANODE-SUPPORTED SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL THROUGH OXYGEN ISOTOPE LABELING

Abstract

Distribution of oxide ion diffused through an electrolyte film of an anode-supported solid oxide fuel cell was visualized using oxygen isotope (Oxygen18) labeling technique. A bi-layer anode-supported electrolyte with LSM/YSZ cathode was performed Oxygen16/Oxygen18 exchange under current flow at 650ºC(fuel cell operating condition) and was rapidly cooled from 650ºC to below 200ºC within 1 second using a cooling system of helium-gas impinging jet installed inside an SOFC test equipment in order to stop movement of the oxide ion. The concentration distribution of the incorporated oxygen isotope in frozen state was then imaged by a secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS).