@article{DU2025, 
author = {Yufeng DU and Ye HUANG and Huaan ZHENG and Tongqiang SHI and Xu ZHANG and Lei ZHANG and Tao WEI},
title = {Research Progress on the Optimization of Anode Microstructure in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells},
year = {2025},
journal = {Journal of the Chinese Ceramic Society},
volume = {53},
number = {7},
pages = {2040-2052},
keywords = {solid oxide fuel cell, anode, microstructure, optimization},
url = {https://www.sciopen.com/article/10.14062/j.issn.0454-5648.20240697},
doi = {10.14062/j.issn.0454-5648.20240697},
abstract = {As a promising advanced energy device, the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) has garnered increasing attention in recent years due to rapid development and substantial achievements. Compared to other types of fuel cells, SOFCs have the advantages of an all-solid-state structure that facilitates assembly, a lack of reliance on precious metal catalysts, broad fuel compatibility, and favorable chemical reaction rates and transport kinetics. The SOFC electrode is a high-temperature-resistant, porous composite material with a complex geometric configuration at the microstructural level. These microstructural parameters play a crucial role in influencing SOFC performance. In fact, the cell's lifespan and efficiency are intimately tied to the microstructure of the electrode. Therefore, optimizing the microstructure of the anode is significant for addressing existing challenges in SOFC technology. Such optimization can lead to a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying the microstructure's functional role and provide a foundation for designing high-performance electrodes.At present, research on the optimization of SOFC anode microstructure spans multiple fields and approaches. Advances in experimental techniques and simulation methods have enabled the quantification and virtual reconstruction of the SOFC anode microstructure, while improved fabrication methods have provided a more reliable basis for structural control. Consequently, research on optimizing the SOFC anode microstructure is expanding, with numerous emerging simulation and experimental approaches. This paper firstly reviews the current research status on anode microstructure, covering key materials of SOFC, characterization methods, three-dimensional reconstruction, quantitative simulations, and fabrication techniques. Subsequently, progress in anode optimization research, including simulation, experimental preparation, novel simulation techniques, and innovative fabrication methods, is discussed. Overall, SOFC anode microstructure optimization research has evolved from single-parameter improvement toward multi-objective optimization, with the aim of achieving breakthroughs not only in electrochemical performance but also in thermal performance and stability. This paper concludes with a summary and perspective, providing insights to guide further research on SOFC anode microstructure optimization.Summary and prospectsTo enhance the performance and lifespan of SOFCs, the academic community has undertaken multidisciplinary and multifaceted optimization research. Among these efforts, optimizing the microstructure of electrodes has yielded increasingly reliable results and remains a focal area of study, with numerous innovative approaches continuously emerging. The integration of advanced optimization methods has deepened researchers' understanding of the relationship between anode microstructure and the overall performance of SOFCs, enabling the intentional design of specific microstructural morphologies and the preparation of real samples for validation. Multi-objective optimization is anticipated to play a prominent role in future microstructural studies, opening new pathways for developing SOFC samples with controllable morphologies to further advance microstructural optimization.Based on this foundation, the future directions for research include:1) Employing modern advanced characterization techniques to comprehensively quantify the evolution of SOFC microstructure throughout its lifecycle. Building upon current observation and three-dimensional reconstruction techniques, future research should systematically investigate microstructural changes in various states, including sintering preparation, operation, and degradation. Advances in image processing and analytical algorithms hold significant potential for providing a thorough understanding of SOFC microstructural behavior.2) Integrating simulation and experimental preparation closely to identify the most effective anode microstructure. By decorating anodes with materials featuring specific morphologies, researchers can design electrodes with superior performance, promoting research into gradient anodes and anode modification. Active design of anode microstructures, with extensive use of multi-objective optimization methods, will allow for the successful fabrication of electrodes that meet anticipated performance targets. Further stability-enhancing strategies for SOFC anodes could be achieved by adjusting operating conditions and preparation techniques.3) Increasing attention is being given to the combination of artificial intelligence (AI) and big data in SOFC optimization. Using machine learning to identify optimized parameters and ideal models, rather than relying on trial-and-error, can significantly streamline resource use. Deep learning will be a powerful tool in designing unique functional anodes. Additionally, nanoscale 3D printing—an economical and practical technology for producing electrodes with special microstructural features—holds great promise in microstructure optimization design and may facilitate the successful fabrication of advanced electrodes.}
}