The process, structure and performance of pen cells for the intermediate temperature SOFCs

The paper is principally concerned with strategic investigations based on t he development of planar supported thin film electrolyte (STEF) configurati ons for intermediate temperature SOFC applications. A novel and cost effect ive electrostatic assisted vapour deposition process has been used to depos it dense YSZ film onto the porous anode substrates. Several approaches were investigated to deposit a dense and crack-free YSZ film onto the porous an ode substrate during the fabrication of PEN structure. The use of an amorph ous YSZ thin film followed by a crystalline YSZ film deposition using the c ontinuous EAVD process seem to be able to produce a dense and crack-free YS Z film onto the porous NiO-YSZ substrate with a well defined interface. Ind ividual dense/porous films and PEN assembly were characterised using XRD, S EM, and I-V test techniques for structural examination and electrical measu rements. (C) 1998 published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.