A quantitative analysis of influence of Ni particle size of SDC-supported anode on SOFC performance: Effect of particle size of SDC support

Ni-impregnated SDC powders were prepared as a SOFC anode material. Surface area of the SDC powders was regulated with pre-calcination temperature and it was ranging from 12 to 93m2/g. The averaged Ni particle size on SDC was fairly affected with surface area of the SDC supports. The smallest Ni particle size obtained in this study was 48nm when the surface area of SDC was 27m2/g. By further increasing the surface area of SDC to 93m2/g, Ni particle size was adversely enlarged. The maximum power density increased with decreasing the averaged Ni particle size of Ni/SDC anode. The maximum power densities were 39.5mWcm−2 for dry H2 and 106.5mWcm−2 for dry CH4. •Ni particle size on a Ni/SDC anode was minimized.•Surface area of SDC support was decisive factor for the Ni particle size.•The anodic performance was enhanced with the Ni particle size control.