Microplotter printing of planar solid electrolytes in the CeO2–Y2O3 system

Abstract

The formation process for planar solid electrolytes in the CeO2-Y2O3 system has been studied using efficient, high-performance, high-resolution microplotter printing technology, using functional ink based on nanopowders (the average size of crystallites was 12–15 nm) of a similar composition obtained by programmed coprecipitation of metal hydroxides. The dependence of the microstructure of the oxide nanoparticles obtained and their crystal structure on yttrium concentration has been studied using a wide range of methods. According to X-ray diffraction (XRD), the nanopowders and coatings produced are single-phase, with a cubic crystal structure of the fluorite type, and the electronic state and content of cerium and yttrium in the printed coatings have been determined using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results of scanning electron (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) have shown that the coatings produced are homogeneous, they do not contain defects in the form of fractures and the height difference over an area of 1 µm2 is 30–45 nm. The local electrophysical characteristics of the oxide coatings produced (the work function of the coating surface, capacitance values, maps of the surface potential and capacitive contrast distribution over the surface) have been studied using Kelvin-probe force microscopy (KPFM) and scanning capacitive microscopy (SCM). Using impedance spectroscopy, the dependence of the electrophysical characteristics of printed planar solid electrolytes in the CeO2-Y2O3 system on yttrium content has been determined and the prospects of the technology developed for the manufacture of modern, intermediate-temperature, solid oxide fuel cells have been demonstrated.