Densification and Cell Performance of Gadolinium‐Doped Ceria (GDC) Electrolyte/NiO–GDC Anode Laminates

Abstract

A thin film (60 μm thick) of a gadolinium‐doped ceria (GDC) electrolyte was prepared by the doctor blade method. This film was laminated with freeze‐dried 42 vol% NiO–58 vol% GDC mixed powder and pressed uniaxially or isostatically under a pressure of 294 MPa. This laminate was cosintered at 1100 °–1500 °C in air for 4–12 h. The laminate warped because of the difference in the shrinkage of the electrolyte and electrode during the sintering. A higher shrinkage was measured for the electrode at 1100 °–1200 °C and for the electrolyte at 1300 °–1500 °C. The increase of the thickness of anode was effective in decreasing the warp and in increasing the density of the laminated composite. The maximum electric power density with a SrRuO 3 cathode using 3 vol% H 2 O‐containing H 2 fuel was 100 mW/cm 2 at 600 °C and 380 mW/cm 2 at 800 °C, respectively, for the anode‐supported GDC electrolyte with 30 μm thickness.