MASS-SPECTROMETRIC ANALYSIS OF CERAMIC COMPONENTS FOR SOLID OXIDE FUEL-CELLS

For the determination of trace impurities in ceramic components of sol id oxide Fuel cells (SOFCs), some mass spectrometric methods have been applied such as spark source mass spectrometry (SSMS), laser ionizati on mass spectrometry (LIMS), laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) and inductively coupled plasma mass spe ctrometry (ICP-MS). Due to a lack of suitable standard reference mater ials for quantifying of analytical results on LaxSryMnO3 cathode mater ial a matrix-matched synthetic standard - high purity initial compound s doped with trace elements - was prepared in order to determine the r elative sensitivity coefficients in SSMS and LA-ICP-MS. Radiofrequency glow discharge mass spectrometry (rf-GDMS) was developed for trace an alysis and depth profiling of thick non-conducting layers. Surface ana lytical techniques, such as secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) and sputtered neutral mass spectrometry (SNMS), were used to determine th e element distribution on surfaces (homogeneity) and the surface conta minants of SOFC ceramic layers.