Review of Materials for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell

Abstract

The solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is one type of electrochemical device that can gain electrical energy by straightly converting the chemical energy from the fuel. After atomic, thermal, and hydropower, it is known as the fourth power generation technique. The energy conversion is through an electrochemical reaction; thus, the Carnot cycle effect is not able to limit the transfer efficiencies of fuel cell, which means the efficiency will be high. As the most energy-efficient devices, Using fuel cell technology, power may be produced at up to 60% efficiency (even comparing with cogeneration). Hydrogen can be the energy source of the SOFC, which can react with the oxygen from atmosphere and produce water. This process is without greenhouse gas emissions. In the study of the fuel cell, the material study is one of the essential parts. This review briefly presents the research progress of electrolytes and electrode material of SOFC as well as their significance to SOFC technology.