Tape casting coupled with isostatic pressing as an alternative fabrication method for microtubular solid oxide fuel cells

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy Vol. 47; no. 16; pp. 9735 - 9743
• Main Authors: Altan, Tolga, Timurkutluk, Cigdem, Timurkutluk, Bora, Celik, Selahattin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 22.02.2022
• Subjects: Cell fabrication; Isostatic pressing; Microtubular; Solid oxide fuel cell; Tape casting; Microtubular; Cell fabrication; Solid oxide fuel cell; Tape casting; Isostatic pressing
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2022.01.053

A new production technique consisting mainly of a combination of tape casting and isostatic pressing to fabricate microtubular supports for solid oxide fuel cells is presented in this study. For this purpose, thin anode support layer is obtained by tape casting. The tape is then wrapped around a rod and subjected to isostatic pressing. The anode support microtube laminate is sintered after the removal of the rod. Microstructural observations show that the anode support with the suggested method is free of delamination and structural defect. Similar microtubular supports are also fabricated by conventional extrusion to compare the mechanical performance. Three point bending test results indicate that the anode supports with the suggested method provide higher mechanical strength due to improved compaction by isostatic pressing. Furthermore, similar microtubular cells are constructed on both anode supports for the electrochemical considerations. The results reveal that the cell, whose anode support is manufactured via tape casting and isostatic pressing, provides a reasonable electrochemical performance although no optimization is carried out in the fabrication steps. Therefore, the method recommended in this study is found to be an appropriate method for the fabrication of tubular/microtubular supports in solid oxide fuel cells or in similar areas. •Microtubular anode supports are fabricated by tape casting and isostatic pressing.•Anode support tape is wrapped around a rod and subjected to isostatic pressing.•Improved mechanical performance is obtained compared to extruded ones.•The cell based on new method proposed also exhibits an acceptable performance.