SOFC Solid Oxide Fuel Cells: From “What It Is and How It Generates Power” to a Key Materials Map, Application Scenarios, and Selection Navigation (Electrolytes / Electrodes / Interconnects / Sealing)
SOFC Solid Oxide Fuel Cells: From “What It Is and How It Generates Power” to a Key Materials Map, Application Scenarios, and Selection Navigation (Electrolytes / Electrodes / Interconnects / Sealing)
What SOFC “Is,” Exactly
A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is an electrochemical device that converts a fuel’s chemical energy directly into electricity. Instead of relying on the traditional chain of “combustion → heat → mechanical work → power generation,” it uses electrochemical reactions to drive electrons into an external circuit to do electrical work.
Its defining feature is that the electrolyte is a ceramic solid oxide, and the cell typically operates at high temperature, about 500–1000 °C (the overall operating window spans roughly 500–1000 °C; in engineering practice, 600–1000 °C is most common, and many modern systems are optimized around 600–800 °C (intermediate temperature, IT) to reduce cost and degradation).
Why does it matter? High temperature accelerates reaction kinetics, makes the system more fuel-tolerant, and provides high-grade heat that can be recovered for hot water/steam/combined heat and power (CHP). As a result, SOFCs are attractive for distributed energy, industrial applications, and certain transportation/auxiliary power scenarios.
How SOFC Generates Electricity: A Three-Layer Stack + Oxygen-Ion “Carrier”
It helps to picture an SOFC as a three-layer “sandwich”:
Cathode (air electrode) / Electrolyte / Anode (fuel electrode)
1. At the cathode (air side): oxygen from air gains electrons and becomes oxide ions (O²⁻).
Typical cathode reaction:
½O₂ + 2e⁻ → O²⁻
2. Electrolyte: a dense ceramic layer whose main job is to conduct O²⁻ ions (and block electrons).
3. At the anode (fuel side): O²⁻ oxidizes the fuel (H₂, CO, and—at high temperature—processes coupled with CH₄-related chemistry), releasing electrons into the external circuit to produce electrical power.
Typical anode reactions:
H₂ + O²⁻ → H₂O + 2e⁻
CO + O²⁻ → CO₂ + 2e⁻
CH₄ + 4O²⁻ → 2H₂O + CO₂ + 8e⁻
(Note: this equation is often used as an overall, equivalent net expression. In practice, methane typically undergoes (internal or external) reforming and shift to form H₂/CO first, which are then electrochemically oxidized.)
Overall (taking hydrogen as an example):
H₂ + ½O₂ → H₂O
A key “system-level consequence”: because O²⁻ migrates from the cathode to the anode, water is produced mainly on the anode side. This can provide (or change) the steam environment for internal reforming and the water–gas shift reaction on the anode side; however, it also dilutes the fuel and lowers reactant partial pressures. Therefore, at high fuel utilization, the Nernst voltage often decreases. In engineering practice, additional voltage loss is also incurred due to concentration polarization (mass-transport limitations).
Core Materials Map
Layer / Component | Primary role | Main material families | Why they are commonly used | Key selection notes / failure modes | Related product notes |
Electrolyte | Conduct ions only; separate fuel and air | Oxygen-ion conductors: YSZ; (IT expansion) LSGM; (common in IT; requires interface/barrier-layer design to avoid inter-reactions) GDC/SDC; (advanced) ScSZ | YSZ is mature and stable; IT routes pursue higher conductivity and lower operating temperature | In reducing atmospheres, IT ceria-based electrolytes may show electronic leakage / mixed conduction, so structural and interfacial design is needed (e.g., buffer-layer concepts). A common approach is introducing a barrier layer on the fuel side or at the interface (e.g., a thin YSZ layer) to suppress electronic leakage and stabilize voltage. | GDC (synthesizable): ceria + gadolinia; SDC (synthesizable / film-friendly): ceria + samaria dispersion; LSGM (synthesizable): La(III) source + Sr source (SrCO₃ / Sr(NO₃)₂ / SrO) + Ga₂O₃ + Mg(OH)₂ (→ MgO at high T) |
Anode | Fuel-side catalysis + conductivity + porous mass transport | Ni–YSZ cermet (classic mainstream) | High conductivity, high activity, mature processing | Redox re-oxidation causes large volume change → structural damage/cracking; sulfur poisoning and coking are major engineering pain points | Ni–YSZ preparation route: NiO (e.g., nanowires) + YSZ nanopowder; (optional infiltration enhancement) Ni(NO₃)₂·6H₂O (infiltration → calcine to NiO → reduce to Ni) |
Cathode | Air-side ORR (often rate-limiting) | La-based perovskites (ABO₃): high-T LSM; IT LSM–YSZ composite layer, or LSCF/LSF; (LSC also common) | Balances activity, electronic conductivity, thermal expansion match, and stability | At IT, LSM has insufficient intrinsic ionic conductivity → composites expand the triple-phase boundary; also watch compatibility with electrolyte/interconnect and poisoning risks | LSM (synthesizable): La₂O₃ + Sr source (SrCO₃ / Sr(NO₃)₂ / SrO) + Mn source (MnO₂ or Mn(NO₃)₂); LSCF (synthesizable): La₂O₃ + Sr source + Co(NO₃)₂·6H₂O + Fe(NO₃)₃·9H₂O (or Fe₂O₃ dispersion); LSF (synthesizable): La₂O₃ + Sr source + Fe(NO₃)₃·9H₂O (or Fe₂O₃ dispersion) |
Interconnect | Series-connect cells; current collection; gas separation | High-T: conductive ceramics (e.g., doped La/Y chromites); lower T: metal alloys (Cr-containing systems are common) | Temperature window determines choice: ceramics for high-T stability; metals are cheaper/easier to process at lower T | Cr volatilization → cathode “chromium poisoning” is a serious challenge for IT metallic interconnects | Materials for Cr contamination/protective-layer studies: Cr₂O₃ (as reference / oxide source); Co₃O₄ (common Co source for contact/protective layers); TiO₁.₇ (conductive titanium oxide contact layer / conductive component studies). (Bulk metallic interconnect alloys are typically not listed as reagent products.) |
Proton-conducting route | Conduct H⁺ through electrolyte to enable lower temperature | BaZrO₃ / BaCeO₃ based (BZY/BCZY, etc.) | Aims to further reduce operating temperature | Rapidly evolving field; densification, chemical stability, and interface engineering are key hurdles | BZY (synthesizable): BaCO₃ (or BaO) + ZrO₂ source (YSZ powder or ZrO₂ dispersion) + Y₂O₃; BCZY (synthesizable): BaCO₃ (or BaO) + CeO₂ + ZrO₂ source + Y₂O₃ |
Typical SOFC Application Map
Typical application | Common system form | Why SOFC fits | Key engineering constraints / common issues |
Distributed power + CHP (buildings, campuses, factories, utilities) | SOFC power generation + waste heat recovery (hot water/steam/process heat) | High-temperature exhaust and stack heat are easy to recover; strong potential for high overall CHP efficiency; ideal when both electricity and heat are needed | Sensitive thermal management and thermal cycling (start/stop, temperature gradients); sealing and thermal-expansion matching are critical for lifetime |
Fuel-flexible stationary systems (natural gas / reformate / CO-containing fuels) | External reforming or internal reforming + SOFC | High T enables coupling with steam reforming and water–gas shift; internal reforming can “shift” cell heat release to drive endothermic reforming and improve thermal integration. Must also coordinate current density and fuel-utilization windows to avoid local steam starvation and high carbon activity that cause hotspot coking. | Control S/C to prevent coking; control sulfur to avoid poisoning; higher fuel utilization dilutes fuel and reduces Nernst driving force (system voltage drops faster) |
Hybrid cycles (SOFC + gas turbine / microturbine; SOFC–GT/MGT) | SOFC provides high-T, high-efficiency power + turbine recovers tail-gas energy | Studies and technical assessments indicate electrical efficiency can reach ≥60% (depending on system boundary conditions, pressure ratio, thermal integration, and fuel conditions; literature evaluations report values above 60%). | More complex control and dynamics; strong thermal coupling between compressor/turbine and stack—operating-window management is difficult |
Specialty/transport APU and hybrid power (ships, specialty vehicles, off-grid auxiliary power) | SOFC as a stable baseload/constant-power source; battery/engine handles fast transients | SOFC responds slowly, suits steady high-efficiency generation; hybridization with batteries can combine transient response and efficiency | Slow start/stop, frequent thermal cycling, vibration tolerance, and volumetric power density requirements; better suited as APU than as sole traction prime mover |
Use and Experimental Notes
1) Fuel impurities: especially sulfur (e.g., H₂S)
Sulfur is a high-risk impurity for SOFCs—especially for classic Ni-based anodes and reforming-related catalytic processes. A common conclusion in research and reviews is that even very low ppm-level H₂S can cause performance degradation, and higher concentrations may lead to irreversible damage.
Engineering note: fuel cleaning/desulfurization is often not optional. Low-ppm sulfur frequently causes a strong activity drop, and the degradation may include both reversible and irreversible components depending on temperature, materials, and exposure history. Therefore, desulfurization is treated as a baseline unit operation in practical systems.
2) Carbon deposition (coking): especially during reforming/internal reforming
For natural gas/methane fuels, particularly when internal reforming occurs in the stack or anode chamber, controlling the steam-to-carbon ratio (S/C) is one of the key actions to prevent coking. NREL’s review reports explicitly highlight the need for strict control to avoid carbon deposition in the anode compartment.
3) Redox cycling: a “no-go zone” for Ni–YSZ anodes
After Ni–YSZ anodes are reduced from NiO to Ni, exposure to oxidizing conditions (e.g., air) at high temperature can rapidly re-oxidize Ni, causing large volume changes that severely damage structure and strength. Therefore, the anode should be kept under reducing conditions as much as possible.
4) Interconnect-related chromium volatilization and cathode poisoning
In intermediate-temperature SOFCs, the impact of chromium-containing volatile species on cathode performance is a serious issue, and the severity depends on the specific electrolyte/cathode material combination.
5) Thermal management and thermal cycling
SOFC advantages come from high temperature—but high temperature also means greater sensitivity to start-up/shutdown, temperature gradients, thermal-expansion matching, and sealing reliability. When selecting materials, do not focus only on “powder composition”; also evaluate whether, in the target temperature window, the material’s thermal expansion, chemical compatibility, and interfacial reactions are properly matched to neighboring components.
Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC): Selection Navigation for Key Materials and Supporting Chemicals + Representative Product Classification Tables (Electrolytes / Electrodes / Interconnect Coatings / Sealing & Slurry Processing)
SOFC Product Selection Navigation: Define the Task → Locate the Right Table → Decide Form Factor and Purity
Your task / scenario | Start with which table | Why start there | What you typically pair next |
Build an electrolyte layer (dense YSZ/ScSZ, thin-film electrolytes, electrolyte-on-support) | Table 1: Core functional materials | The electrolyte “base material” determines ionic conductivity, densification window, and reliability | If low-temperature film formation/coating is needed → Table 3 (nano-dispersions); for tape casting/screen printing → Table 4 (binders/solvents/dispersants) |
Build an anode (Ni–YSZ / Ni–ceria, anode functional layer, anti-coking strategies) | Table 1: Core functional materials | Anodes are typically built around Ni-based systems and composite backbones | To boost activity/lower temperature → use Table 2 (solution precursor-salt infiltration); microstructure/coatings → Table 3; shaping & slurry formulation → Table 4 |
Build a cathode (LSC/LSCF/LSM functional layers or benchmarks) | Table 1: Core functional materials | Ready-to-use cathode powders are best for baseline/benchmark comparisons | For “surface active phases” or low-temperature enhancement → Table 2 (nitrate infiltration of Co/Fe/Mn/La/Sr, etc.); microstructure tuning → Table 3; printing/coating → Table 4 |
Interconnect / contact layer / protective layer (lower contact resistance, suppress Cr contamination, conductive coatings) | Table 1: Core functional materials | Protective/contact layers often rely on specific conductive oxide systems | If depositing coatings via solution routes → Table 2 (precursor salts); if using paste/slurry coating → Table 4 |
Sealing glass / glass-ceramic sealing (hermetic sealing, CTE matching, lower sealing temperature) | Table 2: Synthesis and formulation precursors | Sealing systems hinge on glass-network formers, fluxes, and alkaline-earth formulations | If fillers / pore-structure control are needed → Table 3 (e.g., SiO₂); forming/coating/screen-printable sealants → Table 4 |
Coatings or secondary electrode activation by infiltration / sol–gel / co-precipitation | Table 2: Synthesis and formulation precursors | The key is soluble precursor salts (e.g., nitrates) and high purity | For film formation / dispersion stability → Table 3 / Table 4 (dispersions, dispersants, solvents, binders) |
Improve film formation, interfaces, and microstructure via nano-sizing / dispersions (lower temperature, higher uniformity) | Table 3: Nano-dispersions and microstructure control | Nanoscale size directly impacts sintering kinetics and coating uniformity | Almost always paired with Table 4 (dispersants/binders/solvents) |
Slurry making, tape casting, screen printing, coating (process implementation) | Table 4: Slurry forming/processing/printing & lab support | Process success often depends on “rheology + film formation + burnout during sintering” | The core powders/precursors usually come from Table 1 / Table 2 / Table 3 |
Gas-line purification, test-stand stability, analytical QC | Table 4: Slurry forming/processing/printing & lab support | Purification and QC determine data stability and reproducibility | If contamination is traced to materials → go back to Table 1 / Table 2 to verify raw-material purity and impurities |
Table 1 Core Functional Materials (Electrolytes + Electrodes + Oxides for Interconnect/Contact/Protective Layers)
Category | CAS No. | Aladdin Cat. No. | Product name | Specification / purity | Application (typical SOFC-related use/role) |
Electrolyte powder (oxygen-ion conductor) | 114168-16-0 | Z477814 | Yttria-stabilized zirconia (ZrO₂(Y₂O₃), YSZ) | Nanopowder | YSZ electrolyte/backbone powder: mainstream oxygen-ion conductor; used for dense electrolyte layers, anode-supported electrolytes, or composite electrode backbones |
Electrolyte powder (oxygen-ion conductor) | 151575-30-3 | Z477310 | Scandia-stabilized zirconia (ZrO₂(Sc₂O₃), ScSZ) | Contains 6 mol% scandia as stabilizer | ScSZ electrolyte: high-conductivity oxygen-ion conductor; used in dense electrolytes/thin-film electrolyte studies for intermediate-temperature SOFC |
Electrode functional material (cathode) | 108916-09-2 | L474995 | Lanthanum strontium cobaltite cathode powder (LSC) | ≥99% trace metals basis | Ready-made LSC cathode powder: used for IT-SOFC cathode functional layers or as an infiltration-backbone benchmark; focus on interface matching with electrolyte/interlayers and sintering window |
Electrode functional material (anode) | 1313-99-1 | Nickel(II) oxide (NiO) | Nanowires, diameter × L ~ 20 nm × 10 μm | Ni-based anode precursor: after sintering and reduction, forms a high-surface-area Ni network for Ni–YSZ / Ni–ceria composite anodes or functional layers | |
Oxide for interconnect/protective coatings | 1308-38-9 | Chromium(III) oxide (Cr₂O₃) | For elemental analysis, 0.85–1.7 mm | Used in studies of Cr₂O₃ formed on interconnect surfaces (Cr volatilization/cathode poisoning); also as a chromium-oxide coating source or contamination-source reference | |
Oxide for interconnect/contact/protective coatings | 1308-06-1 | Cobalt(II,III) oxide (Co₃O₄) | For elemental analysis, 0.85–1.7 mm | Co-based oxides commonly used for interconnect protection/contact layers (lower contact resistance, mitigate interface degradation); also a Co source for synthesizing perovskite/spinel cathode materials | |
Oxide for interconnect/contact/protective coatings | 66402-68-4 | Titanium oxide (TiO₁.₇) | Granules, size 1–4 mm | Conductive titanium oxide (sub-stoichiometric / near-Magnéli phase): usable for high-temperature conductive contact layers, support/current-collection studies, or conductive parts under reducing atmospheres |
Table 2 Synthesis and Formulation Precursors (Solid-State Precursors + Solution Precursors + Sealing Glass/Flux/Sintering Additives)
Category | CAS No. | Aladdin Cat. No. | Product name | Specification / purity | Application (typical SOFC-related use/role) |
Inorganic solid precursor (functional oxides/interlayers) | 1306-38-3 | C124415 | Cerium(IV) oxide (CeO₂) | For elemental analysis, 1.5–2.5 mm | Ceria-based systems (often doped) for IT-SOFC: anode functional layers, anti-coking and catalytic promotion; also a base material for barrier layers and oxygen-buffer studies |
Inorganic solid precursor (electrolyte dopant/stabilizer) | 1314-36-9 | Y431838 | Yttrium oxide (Y₂O₃) 99+ | For analysis, premium grade, ≥99% | Y source: key dopant oxide for preparing YSZ electrolytes/backbones; also used in interlayers and composite-electrode formulations |
Inorganic solid precursor (electrolyte dopant/stabilizer) | 12060-08-1 | S110936 | Scandium(III) oxide (Sc₂O₃) | PrimorTrace™, ≥99.999% metals basis | Sc source: dopant stabilizer for ScSZ and other high-conductivity electrolytes; high purity helps reduce impurity-driven grain-boundary resistance and aging |
Inorganic solid precursor (ceria dopant) | 12064-62-9 | G105875 | Gadolinium oxide (Gd₂O₃) | PrimorTrace™, ≥99.99% metals basis | Gd source: for GDC (Gd-doped ceria) electrolytes/barrier layers/composite electrodes; one of the key IT-SOFC material systems |
Inorganic solid precursor (LSGM-type electrolytes) | 12024-21-4 | G110982 | Gallium(III) oxide (Ga₂O₃) | PrimorTrace™, ≥99.999% metals basis | Ga source: often used in solid-state synthesis of LSGM (LaSrGaMgO₃) electrolytes/related oxides; high purity suited for intrinsic-property benchmarking |
Inorganic solid precursor (La source) | 1312-81-8 | L431805 | Lanthanum(III) oxide (La₂O₃) | Basic grade reagent, for preparation | La source: solid-state synthesis of La-based perovskite cathodes (LSM/LSC/LSCF, etc.) and La-based interlayers/barrier layers (e.g., LZO and related systems) |
Inorganic solid precursor (Mn source) | 1313-13-9 | Manganese dioxide (MnO₂) | Reagent grade, ≥90%, 10 μm | Mn source: synthesis of LSM (LaSrMnO₃) cathodes or Mn-based spinel coatings; also used to study Mn effects on electrodes/interfaces | |
Inorganic solid precursor (carbonate) | 513-77-9 | Barium carbonate (BaCO₃) | For optical glass | Ba source: solid-state synthesis of Ba-based perovskite cathodes (e.g., BSCF systems) or BaZrO₃/BaCeO₃-related electrolytes/interlayers; may also enter sealing-glass formulations | |
Inorganic solid precursor (carbonate) | 1633-05-2 | Strontium carbonate (SrCO₃) | For optical glass | Sr source: solid-state synthesis of cathodes such as LSM/LSC/LSCF and Sr-doped layers; a common A-site precursor | |
Inorganic solid precursor (Ba source) | 1304-28-5 | Barium oxide (BaO) | AR, ≥97% | Ba source: for Ba-based perovskites / sealing-glass formulations; note BaO is highly hygroscopic and readily carbonates—control moisture/CO₂ in storage and batching | |
Inorganic solid precursor (Sr source) | 1314-11-0 | Strontium oxide (SrO) | AR | Sr source: for Sr-doped perovskite electrodes/interlayers or sealing-glass formulations; also hygroscopic—carbonation and moisture uptake can shift stoichiometry | |
Sealing glass / flux & sintering additive (glass former) | 1303-86-2 | Boron(III) oxide (B₂O₃) | Ultrapure, ≥99.9995% metals basis | Typical glass former/flux component for sealing glass/glass-ceramics: lowers sealing temperature and tunes viscosity/CTE (dependent on specific formulation) | |
Sealing glass / flux & sintering additive (alkali-metal flux) | 1313-59-3 | Sodium oxide (Na₂O) | ≥80% | Alkali oxide source for sealing-glass/flux systems (lowers melting temperature, tunes viscosity). In electrolytes/electrodes it is generally treated as an impurity to be controlled, so it is more often used on the glass-formulation side. Na₂O requires strict moisture control; in practice, formulations often use Na₂CO₃ as an equivalent Na₂O source. | |
Sealing glass / flux & sintering additive (alkaline-earth/basic component) | 1309-48-4 | Magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)₂) | Pharmaceutical grade, ≥98.9% | MgO source: can be used in sealing-glass/ceramic formulations or as an additive to tune thermal expansion/sintering behavior (system-dependent; converts to MgO at high temperature) | |
Sealing glass / flux & sintering additive (alkaline-earth/absorbent) | 1305-78-8 | Calcium oxide (CaO) | Reagent grade | Can serve as a component in sealing-glass/flux formulations; also used for CO₂ capture/purification on gas lines (depending on the experimental system design) | |
Solution precursor salt (infiltration / sol–gel) | 7782-61-8 | Iron(III) nitrate nonahydrate | For cell culture, ≥98% | Fe source: infiltration to form Fe-based perovskite/spinel electrodes or coatings; also used in sol–gel/co-precipitation routes | |
Solution precursor salt (infiltration / sol–gel) | 10042-76-9 | S431181 | Strontium nitrate (explosive precursor) | Anhydrous, PrimorTrace™, ultrapure, ≥99.99% metals basis | Sr source: solution infiltration for cathodes (Sr-doped perovskite/spinel) or sol–gel synthesis; high purity helps reduce impurity-driven interface degradation |
Solution precursor salt (infiltration / sol–gel) | 10026-22-9 | Cobalt(II) nitrate hexahydrate | For analysis, premium grade | Co source: infiltration to build Co-based cathode active phases or Co-based interconnect coatings; also used in sol–gel synthesis of cobaltates/spinels | |
Solution precursor salt (infiltration / sol–gel) | 10294-41-4 | C431281 | Cerium(III) nitrate hexahydrate | Ultrapure grade | Ce source: sol–gel/infiltration for ceria-based interlayers/anode functional layers; also a precursor route for SDC/GDC systems |
Solution precursor salt (infiltration / sol–gel) | 13478-00-7 | N108888 | Nickel nitrate hexahydrate (explosive precursor) | PrimorTrace™, ≥99.999% metals basis | Ni source: infiltration to build Ni anode active phases or prepare NiO precursors; also used in sol–gel/co-precipitation routes |
Solution precursor salt (infiltration / sol–gel) | 10277-43-7 | L106051 | Lanthanum nitrate hexahydrate | PrimorTrace™, ≥99.999% metals basis | La source: infiltration/sol–gel for La-based perovskite electrodes/interlayers (LSM/LSC/LSCF, LZO, etc.) |
Solution precursor salt (infiltration / sol–gel) | 13494-98-9 | Y118878 | Yttrium nitrate hexahydrate | PrimorTrace™, ≥99.99% metals basis | Y source: infiltration/sol–gel for YSZ-related layers or Y-doped-oxide interlayers; high purity helps minimize secondary phases |
Solution precursor salt (infiltration / sol–gel) | 20694-39-7 | Manganese nitrate tetrahydrate | ≥98% | Mn source: infiltration/sol–gel for LSM or Mn–Co spinel coatings; commonly used for interconnect protective layers and cathode systems |
Table 3 Nano-Dispersions and Microstructure Control (Nano-Dispersions / Nanostructured Powders)
Category | CAS No. | Aladdin Cat. No. | Product name | Specification / purity | Application (typical SOFC-related use/role) |
Nano-dispersion / nanostructured powder (coating / slurry) | 1309-37-1 | I431739 | Iron(III) oxide dispersion | Nanoparticles, ≤110 nm, 15 wt.% in ethanol | Directly usable for coatings/inks (ethanol dispersion): Fe source for Fe-based functional layers; also for interface/contamination reference experiments and doping studies |
Nano-dispersion / nanostructured powder (electrolyte / coating backbone) | 1314-23-4 | Zirconium(IV) oxide (ZrO₂) | Nanoparticle dispersion, <100 nm (BET), 5 wt.% in H₂O | ZrO₂ nano-coating/infiltration: thin coatings for electrolytes/interlayers/barrier layers, or as backbone particles to improve densification and interfacial bonding | |
Nano-dispersion / nanostructured powder (electrolyte dopant / composite layer) | 12060-58-1 | S431576 | Samarium oxide dispersion (Sm₂O₃ dispersion) | Nanoparticles, <100 nm (BET) | Sm source: for SDC (Sm-doped ceria) electrolytes/interlayers/composite electrodes; nano-dispersions support lower-temperature film formation and improved uniformity |
Nano-dispersion / nanostructured powder (pore structure / template) | 7631-86-9 | Silicon dioxide (SiO₂) | Mesoporous nanoparticles, outer diameter 450–550 nm, aperture 2–4 nm | Mesoporous SiO₂ as pore-tuning agent/template/filler: helps build hierarchical porosity or serves as inorganic filler in sealing glass/composite layers (formulation-dependent) |
Table 4 Slurry Forming / Shaping / Printing & Lab Support (Additives + Gas Purification + Analytical Standards)
Category | CAS No. | Aladdin Cat. No. | Product name | Specification / purity | Application (typical SOFC-related use/role) |
Slurry/shaping/printing additive (conductive / structural) | 7782-42-5 | G196556 | Carboxylated graphene (nano-size) | Diameter: 50–200 nm; single-layer ratio: >98%; carboxyl ratio: 8.0 wt.% | Conductive and toughening additive for electrode slurries/inks; can also act as a pre-sintering sacrificial pore former (carbon burns out at high temperature and is typically not a stable phase at operating temperature) |
Slurry/shaping/printing additive (dispersion stabilization) | 9003-39-8 | Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) | For plant cell culture, average MW 10,000 | Dispersant/stabilizer for nanopowders (YSZ/ceria, etc.): improves slurry stability, reduces agglomeration, and enhances coating uniformity and reproducibility | |
Slurry/shaping/printing additive (binder / rheology) | 25322-68-3 | Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) | Viscosity 65–115 cps | Binder/thickener/rheology modifier for ceramic slurries, coating solutions, fiber/film forming; thermally decomposes and is removed during sintering | |
Slurry/shaping/printing additive (pore-structure control) | 9011-14-7 | Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) | General-purpose injection grade | Common pore former/sacrificial template for electrode supports/functional layers; burns out to form interconnected pores, affecting gas diffusion and triple-phase boundary | |
Slurry/shaping/printing additive (binder / thickener) | 9004-57-3 | Ethyl cellulose | Chemically pure (CP) | Binder and thickener for screen-printing/coating pastes: used for electrode pastes, current-collector pastes, and functional-layer coatings; removed during sintering | |
Slurry/shaping/printing additive (film-forming binder) | 63148-65-2 | Butvar® B-76 poly(vinyl butyral) (PVB) | MW 90,000–120,000 | Standard binder for tape casting/lamination: used to prepare electrolyte sheets and anode-support green tapes; thermally decomposes before/through sintering | |
Slurry/shaping/printing additive (solvent) | 8000-41-7 | Terpineol (pine oil alcohol) | ≥95%, mixture of isomers | High-boiling solvent commonly used as a vehicle for screen-printing/coating slurries; improves leveling and drying behavior; compatible with electrode/current-collector paste systems | |
Slurry/shaping/printing additive (solvent) | 98-55-5 | α-Terpineol | ≥95% (GC), mixture of isomers | Similar to terpineol: typical paste solvent/vehicle to tune viscosity, rheology, and printability window, improving coating uniformity and reproducibility | |
Gas purification / lab support (adsorptive drying) | 1344-28-1 | Activated alumina balls | Adsorbent, general purpose | Drying and impurity adsorption in air/fuel gas lines (reduces H₂O and some polar impurities); used for test stands or pre-treatment to mitigate electrode poisoning and fluctuations | |
Analytical standard / QC | 7440-02-0 | Nickel standard solution in water | Concentration: 1.39 mg/L; matrix: water | Calibration and QC for ICP/ion analysis: monitors Ni background/contamination in process water, infiltration solutions, and cleaning liquids |
Note: The items above are representative Aladdin catalog numbers. For more specifications, please refer to the full product list at the end of the article or search the Aladdin website using the CAS number and/or product name.
Aladdin: https://www.aladdinsci.com/