Aerosol Jet Printing and Microstructure of SOFC Electrolyte and Cathode Layers

Abstract

We report the cathode layer optimization efforts undertaken to improve the cell performance of a previously reported (10) aerosol jet printed SOFC with strontium doped lanthanum manganate (LSM) based cathode. The cathode current collection layer, LSM with different thicknesses, solids loading in printing ink, and sintering temperature was examined. These parameters were observed to have a significant impact on the cell performance, changing the maximum power density of cells from 200 - 460 mW/cm2 at 850 ºC, depending on the processing conditions. Low voltage scanning electron microscopy was used to clearly distinguish the different phases of the composite LSM/YSZ layer. This method was used as a diagnostic tool to qualitatively assess the feasibility of "on the fly mixing" of the individually aerosolized inks. Cells with printed gadolinia doped ceria (GDC)-lanthanum strontium cobalt ferrite (LSCF) cathodes showed a performance, about twice that of cells with LSM cathodes.