Fabrication of electrolyte materials for solid oxide fuel cells by tape-casting

In this research, solid oxide fuel cell electrolytes were fabricated by aqueous tape-casting technique. The basic compositions for SOFC electrolyte systems were focused on yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) system. The powders used in this study were from different sources. ZrO2-based system doped with 3, 8, and 10 mol% of Y2O3, and 8YSZ electrolyte tape illustrated the desirable properties. The grain size of the sintered electrolyte tapes was in the range of 0.5-1 mu m with 98-99% of theoretical density. Phase and crystal structure showed the pure cubic fluorite structure for 8-10 mol% YSZ and tetragonal phase for 3 mol% doped. The electrolyte tapes sintered at 1450 degrees C for 4 h had the highest ionic conductivity of 30.11 x 10(-3) S/cm which was measured at 600 degrees C. The flexural strengths were in the range of 100-180 MPa for 8-10 mol% YSZ, and 400-680 MPa for 3 mol% YSZ. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.