Today, the ever-increasing energy demand and the tightening regulations for emissions control have caused a great interest in developing more efficient power generation systems. Amongst various types of fuel cells, the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is considered as one of the most promising alternative techniques for developing prospective portable and stationary power systems. This is mainly because of the high energy conversion efficiency, diverse fuel versatility, great heat integration capability, acceptable power density, and environmentally friendly operability associated with the SOFC operation. Unlike other types of fuel cells, SOFCs do not require precious metals to operate and can, instead, efficiently work with Ni, Cu, Co, and other cheap and widely available transition and alkaline earth metals. Currently, yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) is the state-of-the-art material used for fabrication of SOFCs. However, addressing the contemporary operational and fabrication requirements, such as shifting from electrolyte-supported to anode-supported geometry, lowering the operational temperature, and developing thin films and bi-layered electrolytes, necessitates the development of more robust materials for SOFCs. Therefore, the focus of this Special Issue of Energies will be on development of alternative SOFC materials and novel techniques for the fabrication of SOFCs. The key topics covered by this Special Issue include, but are not limited to the following: Nanostructured SOFC composites (e.g. nanorods, nanowires, nanotubes, etc.); Nanocrystalline SOFC powders and ceramic nanocomposites; Novel electrolytes materials and superionic mixed composites for SOFCs; Low-temperature SOFC/SOEC materials; Synthesis and characteristics of the SOFC anode, electrolyte, and cathode nanocomposites; Microstructural improvement of the SOFC supporting layers; Mixed ionic-electronic ceramic composites; Novel fabrication methods and stack design techniques; SOFC electrochemical performance and impedance analysis; Novel supporting metals for metal-supported SOFCs.
Keywords: solid oxide fuel cells; SOFC; ceramic nanocomposites; nanocrystalline SOFC powders; superionic electrolytes; low-temperature SOFCs; SOFC anodes; SOFC cathode composites; SOFC fabrication methods; metal-supported SOFCs; stack design; SOFC performance analysis.