Effect of co-sintering temperature on the performance of SOFC with YSZ electrolyte thin films fabricated by dip-coating method

Anode-supported yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolyte thin films were fabricated by the dip-coating method using the simple methylethylketone/ ethanol-based YSZ suspension. Influences of the sintering temperature on the performance of solid oxide fuel cells were studied. Fully dense YSZ electrolyte thin films were obtained after being sintered at 1,300 °C as well as at 1,400 or 1,500 °C through SEM observation. The open circuit voltages of the cells all reached above 1.10 V at the testing temperatures. The testing results proved that both the anode performance and the electrolyte conductivity sintered at 1,300 °C were superior to those sintered at 1,400 or 1,500 °C. Investigation on the cell voltage drop under operation condition revealed, that the sintering temperature has more significant effect on the performance of the electrodes than on the electrolyte.