Atomic layer deposited YSZ overlayer on Ru for direct methane utilization in solid oxide fuel cell

Abstract We report on the fabrication of thin yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) overlayers via atomic layer deposition (ALD) conformally coated on anodes of methane-fueled low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells. Nano-granular ALD YSZ overlayers that are broken into porous films at elevated temperature improved not only the initial electrochemical performance (35% increase in the maximum power density) but also the thermal stability of the porous Ru anodes by suppressing coarsening.