The three-dimensional microstructure of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) anode is directly observed using a focused ion beam and scanning electron microscope (FIB-SEM) technique. Microstructural parameters, which are closely related to transport phenomena in porous materials, are quantitatively evaluated by a random-walk-based diffusion simulation. Numerical simulation of the SOFC anode with the obtained microstructural parameters is also performed, and the result is in good agreement with the experimental counterparts. Combined with a sensitivity analysis for the SOFC performance, the relationships between the microstructural parameters and the power generation performance are discussed and guidelines for optimizing the anode microstructure are proposed.

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