The effect of dip-coating parameters on the thickness and uniformity of BCZYZ electrolyte layer on porous NiO-BCZYZ tubular supports

Abstract

The effect of dip-coating parameters on the coating thickness and uniformity have been investigated for BaCe0.7Zr0.1Y0.16Zn0.04O3-δ (BCZYZ) electrolyte on porous NiO-BCZYZ tubular supports. The calculated thicknesses of electrolyte using both pre-fired and full fired tubes' dimensions and both wet and dry weight gains have been compared to the measured ones using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis after full firing. The calculated thicknesses using pre-fired tubes’ dimensions using both wet and dry weight gains are found in a good agreement with the measured thicknesses. The minimum coating thickness of 20.49 ± 3.36 μ with 16% standard deviation (StDev) is achieved using 1.91 mm s−1 (20 step.s-1) withdrawal speed and 30 s dwell time. The most uniform coating layer is obtained using that withdrawal speed and 60 s dwell time, leading 23.14 ± 1.69 μ coating thickness and the minimum StDev% of 7%. Using the polynomial fit between StDev% and dwell time, the minimum StDev% can be achieved at that withdrawal speed has been determined as 80 s. The coating parameters have been optimized as 1.91 mm s−1 withdrawal speed and 80 s dwell time for BCZYZ electrolyte on porous Ni/NiO-BCZY tubular supports.