Effect of cell-to-cell distance in segmented-in-series solid oxide fuel cells

Abstract Segmented-in-series solid oxide fuel cell (SIS–SOFC) is prepared by laminating cell components on all sides of partially stabilized zirconia supports using decalcomania method. Since such support is conductive, it generates shunting current and hence voltage loss occurs. Such loss compromises the benefit achieved by segmenting solid oxide fuel cell in series. Therefore there would be greater merits to study the effect of cell-to-cell distance on the voltage loss. Output characteristics according to the cell distance is reported in this study. Open circuit voltage and maximum output density show higher value in the order of cell distance of 2, 3 and 1 mm. While the shunting current decreases with increasing cell distance, the ohmic resistance, however, increases with increasing cell distance as the interconnector length increases. The impedance analysis shows that the polarization resistance decreases substantially as the cell distance decreases. This study demonstrates that care should be taken for the SIS–SOFC as the cell-to-cell distance influences the output characteristics.