Manufacturing of BaCe0.65Zr0.20Y0.15O3-δ-Ce0.85Gd0.15O2-δ structures by micro-extrusion 3D-printing

Abstract BaCe0.65Zr0.20Y0.15O3-δ-Ce0.85Gd0.15O2-δ (BCZ20Y15-GDC15) is currently one of the most studied composites for applications as dense ceramic membranes for H2 purification and membrane reactors. However, the efficiency of the structure represents a crucial issue to be solved for its practical uses. In this work the optimization of suitable slurries for the manufacturing of green asymmetric BCZ20Y15-GDC15 structures by μ-extrusion 3D-printing was investigated. The effect of the composition and rheological behavior on the stability and printability of the slurries was evaluated. Then, optimized slurries with different solid content were printed by a home-made μ-extrusion 3D printer through a step by step process: smooth and defect-free as-printed asymmetric structures with planar architecture were obtained.