Effect of dip coating parameters on microstructure and thickness of 8YSZ electrolyte coated on NiO-YSZ by sol-gel process for SOFCs applications

• Published in: Ceramics international Vol. 48; no. 11; pp. 16091 - 16098
• Main Authors: Niazmand, Morteza, Maghsoudipour, Amir, Alizadeh, Masoud, Khakpour, Zahra, Kariminejad, Arash
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2022
• Subjects: Dip coating; Sol-gel; Solid oxide fuel cell; YSZ; YSZ; Dip coating; Solid oxide fuel cell; Sol-gel
• ISSN: 0272-8842; 1873-3956
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ceramint.2022.02.155

8 mol % Yttria stabilized zirconia (8YSZ) coatings are widely used as electrolytes in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). In this study, sol-gel process was used in order to in-situ synthesis of 8YSZ electrolyte layer on NiO-8YSZ substrate applying dip coating method. Solid content, viscosity and withdrawal speed were investigated as effective parameters that affect quality and thickness of coatings. Fourier transform infrared radiation (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) analyses were used to evaluate the microstructure of 8YSZ film. A dense and uniform coating was obtained with increasing solid content. Reduced viscosity also yielded a better uniformity and formed crack free coatings. Thickness of coatings was controlled by withdrawal speed. Results reveal that a dense and uniform coating was obtained with molar ratio of 1−PropanolZr = 10 using sol only 5min after preparation. Minimum thickness was measured 10 μm at withdrawal speed of 1 cm/min.