Current collector structure

Abstract

A current collector structure that is used to distribute an electrical potential to an electrode layer of an electrochemical cell. The electrochemical cell has an electrolyte layer adjacent the electrode layer for transport of oxygen ions. The current collector structure has a porous, electrically conductive layer located on the electrode layer. Additionally, at least one elongated strip-like layer formed of an electrically conductive material is located on the porous, electrically conductive layer, opposite the electrode and oriented in a lengthwise direction of the electrode layer.

1 . A current collector structure to distribute an electrical potential to an electrode layer of an electrochemical cell having an electrolyte layer adjacent the electrode layer for transport of oxygen ions, said current collector structure comprising:
 a porous, electrically conductive layer located on the electrode layer; and   at least one elongated strip-like layer formed of electrically conductive material located on the porous, electrically conductive layer, opposite to the electrode and oriented in a lengthwise direction of the electrode layer.   
   
   
       2 . The current collector structure of  claim 1 , wherein the porous, electrically conductive layer is formed of particles of a metal or metal alloy containing surface deposits of a metallic oxide. 
   
   
       3 . The current collector structure of  claim 2 , wherein the electrically conductive material and the metal or metal alloy is silver and the metallic oxide is zirconia. 
   
   
       4 . The current collector structure of  claim 3 , wherein the silver within the at least one elongated strip-like layer is between about 50% and about 100% the theoretical density of the silver. 
   
   
       5 . The current collector structure of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one elongated strip-like layer has a thickness and a width that are each between about 50 microns and about 2000 microns. 
   
   
       6 . The current collector structure of  claim 5 , wherein the porous, electrically conductive layer is between about 15 microns and about 25 microns thick.