Solid Oxide Fuel Cells with YSZ Films Prepared Using Spray Pyrolysis

Abstract

Spray pyrolysis technique has been applied to deposit thin, dense electrolyte films on porous anode substrates. Thin film deposition using spray pyrolysis involves the spraying of a metal salt solution onto a heated substrate. Two different atomizers were used for generation of aerosol; an electrostatic atomizer and an air blast atomizer. Solutions of yttrium chloride and zirconium acetylacetonate in butyl carbitol and ethanol mixtures were used as precursors. The 8 mol% yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) films were deposited on porous NiO-YSZ anode substrates which were heated to temperatures between 280°C and 320°C. Dense, sub-micrometer and crack-free electrolytes on substrates with diameters of up to 35 mm were prepared. Fuel cell tests were performed using dry hydrogen as fuel and air as oxidant. A power output of -550 mW/cm 2 at 770°C was achieved.