The Effect of Process Parameters on the Apparent Defects of Tape-Cast SOFC Half-Cell

Using flawless components are important for a proper material selection and best working conditions to achieve the best performance of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). Tape casting is the most used process for the fabrication of SOFC parts, especially anode and electrolyte due to its advantages regarding the other processes. In this study, the effect of slurry composition and milling time were successfully investigated on anode and electrolyte tapes defects. The results showed that the addition of terpineol to electrolyte slurry as a dispersant would reduce the size of agglomerates to 5μm. Furthermore, 6h of ball milling showed the optimum result for the anode slurry due to the disappearing of island defects, which agrees well with optical microscopy images of samples with minimum apparent defects on the surface. Afterward, the optimum tapes of anode and electrolyte were laminated and sintered at 1400°C for 4h. Half-cells had minimum apparent deformations and surface defects after sintering. Scanning electron microscopy images exhibited a uniform distribution of porosities without any separation in anode layers, as well as the full dense electrolyte.