Page 48 - High Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Fundamentals, Design and Applications

History 29

2.3 First Detailed Investigations of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

In 19 5 1 Hund confirmed, with X-ray crystallographic and pycnometric
investigations, the existence of oxide ion vacancies in the Nernst mass [3 71.
Hauffe. having worked from 1936 to 1940 in Darmstadt with Wagner [38],
followed his suggestions and left to Peters (in 1951 in Greifswald) the
investigation of the lattice structure and the electrical conductivity of some
mixed oxides of the type of the Nernst mass (Zr02-Y203, Tho2 and Ce02
with Yz03 and La203). After Hauffe had left for Berlin, Peters finished his
thesis in Rostoclc in 1953 [39] and in 1954 gave Mobius the task of furthering
the subject by investigation of galvanic cells using mixed-oxide phases.
The investigations [40], using model fueI cells (Figure 2.5a), were started with
iron oxides, magnesium ferrite (following Biefeld [41]) and composites of iron
and alumina as electrodes and were continued mainly with thin porous layers of
platinum, nickel and iron. Very soon it was seen that completely gastight solid
electrolyte discs of highly pure substances had to be produced if the

Figure 2.5 (a) Cross-section of gahanic cells with oxides as solid electrolyte investigated bg Peters and
Mobius. (b) Design of an SOFCpIant asa basis for calculntions (1 958).