Enhanced flexibility and performance of nickel yarn triple plain weave current collectors for solid oxide fuel cells

A planar solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) uses current collectors positioned between the cell and the interconnector. To address the cell deformation that occurs during extended operation of large SOFCs, we developed a novel flexible current collector made from a triple plain weave of Ni yarn. We characterized the properties of this triple plain weave and compared them with those of commercially available collectors using the Kawabata evaluation system at room temperature, as well as test methods for SOFC components at elevated temperatures. The triple plain weave demonstrated superior compression and recovery properties along the thickness direction compared to commercial collectors, such as single plain weaves and porous metals. The triple plain weave's flexibility was consistent at both low and high temperatures. Although the conductivity of the triple plain weave was lower than that of other collectors, the SOFC's output performance with this weave was higher than that with a single plain weave. Thus, triple plain weaves can enhance SOFC cell size and extend their lifespan.