Nickel particles, preventing agglomeration

The anodes of these cells consist of a cermet (ceramic-metal composite) of nickel and the zirconia electrolyte. This material is made from a mixture of nickel oxide (NiO) and the YSZ electrolyte. The nickel oxide is reduced in situ to metallic nickel, forming highly disperse particles that serve as the catalyst for anodic fuel gas oxidation reactions. These particles are distributed uniformly in the solid electrolyte, and are prevented from agglomerating during fuel cell operation by this electrolyte, thus retaining their catalytic activity. The YSZ material present in the anode also improves the contact between the nickel catalyst and the fuel cell s electrolyte layer. 

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