Evaluation of commercial nickel oxide powders for components in solid oxide fuel cells

Various commercial nickel oxides were examined with respect to their releva nt powder properties for application as anodes or anode substrates in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC). The powders were characterized regarding their mo rphology, grain size distribution, BET surface and sintering behavior. Furt hermore, anode substrates were produced from these powders together with yt tria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) powder. The sintering behavior, gas permeabi lity and electrical conductivity of these components were determined and co mpared with the current standard material used for SOFC development at Rese arch Centre Julich. A comparison of the powder and component properties ind icate a significant influence of the powder properties on the components pr oduced. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.