Abstract:
Fuel cells, or specifically on solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are complex electrochemical energy conversion devices, compared to conventional thermal power system with the advantages of high conversion efficiency, low emissions and zero noise. Throughout the 100 years of history of SOFCs development, a number of challenges still hamper their commercialization, such as high cost and low durability; these challenges are mainly attributed to the high temperature operating condition required by ionic conductivity and catalytic activity. Traditional SOFC with structure of cathode, electrolyte and anode three parts today focuses mainly on reducing the electrolyte thickness and enhancing electrode catalytic activity, the development of key technologies and scientific breakthroughs are still not enough. Therefore, we have to reflect that of SOFCs 100 years, the direction and focus of research. 2010, single-component electrolyte-free fuel cell was invented in the Swedish Royal Institute of Technology (Adv. Funct Mater. (2011) 2465), it means that the bottleneck of a revolution and commercialization of fuel cell breakthrough, the results were selected as a 2011 research highlights by Nature Nanotechnology titled as: “The FUEL CELL: Three in one”.