Fabrication of High-Performance Ni/Y[sub 2]O[sub 3]-ZrO[sub 2] Cermet Anodes of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells by Ion Impregnation

In the fabrication process of (YSZ) cermet anodes for solid oxide fuel cells, it has been found that sintering and reducing processes of the cermet anodes at high temperatures (1000 to 1400°C) cause significant grain growth and agglomeration of YSZ and in particular Ni particles. This paper reports on the enhancement of the microstructure and performance of Ni/YSZ cermet electrodes by an ion impregnation process. By impregnation of very fine oxide particles into Ni/YSZ cermet structure, sintering, grain growth, and agglomeration of the nickel phase in the cermet during the high-temperature sintering and reducing stages were significantly inhibited, leading to the enhancement of the Ni and YSZ phase distribution and thus significant improvement in the electrochemical activity and stability of the Ni/YSZ anodes for the oxidation reaction. The ion impregnation method was also applied in the development of high-performance Sr-doped cathode. © 2002 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.