Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are perspective sources of electric
power [1e3]. One way to increase the power output of SOFC is to
reduce the thickness of the electrolyte which is the main contributor
of ohmic resistance. However, as the thickness of the electrolyte
decreases, its mechanical strength also decreases and, when
the electrolyte thickness is less than 200e300 mm, it can no longer
function as a support. Consequently, the SOFC development has
advanced by using cathode-supported [4e6] or, more frequently,
anode-supported [7e9] SOFCs with a thin film of electrolyte. The
anode of the anode-supported SOFC should have the necessary
level of thermal expansion coefficient (TEC), porosity, mechanical
strength, electrical conductivity and electrochemical activity. These
requirements can be achieved by using bi-layer anodes, the substrate
of which possesses a high mechanical strength, porosity and
electrical conductivity and the functional layer with a TEC value,
possibly close to that of the electrolyte film, a high level of electrochemical
activity and a level of porosity that is appropriate to the
film electrolyte preparation