A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) was fabricated by co-firing laminated s
heets of air-electrode, electrolyte, and fuel-electrode and the influe
nce of the physical characteristics of the air-electrode on the cell p
erformance was studied. Tailoring the sintering shrinkage of green she
ets to one another was found to be an important factor in fabricating
a flat and fracture-free three-layer cell. Controlling the binder cont
ent in the fuel-electrode green sheet and calcination of La0.7Sr0.3MnO
3 (LSM) powder were effective for tailoring the sintering shrinkage of
green sheets. The performance of the co-fired three-layer cell was gr
eatly influenced by the porosity of the air-electrode, and the maximum
power density was attained at 70% of relative density, which is deter
mined by the gas permeability and conductivity of air-electrode. (C) 1
998 Elsevier Science S.A.