Surface modification of yttria-stabilized zirconia electrolyte by atomic layer deposition.

Yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolyte membranes were surface modified by adding a 1 nm thin, high-yttria concentration YSZ film with the help of atomic layer deposition. The addition of the 1 nm film led to an increase of the maximum power density of a low-temperature solid oxide fuel cell (LT-SOFC) by a factor of 1.50 at 400 degrees C. The enhanced performance can be attributed to an increased oxide ion incorporation rate on the surface of the modified electrolyte.