Sol-Gel Process to Prepare an Anode Supported YSZ Electrolyte

Several approaches based on the sol-gel process have been developed to synthesize YSZ (ZrO2-8%Y2O3) films with controlled porosities and thickness. Thick monolayer (> 10 µm) was obtained from a powder charged polymeric sol using the dipcoating process. This film exhibited porosities after a heat treatment at 1300°C during 4 hours in air. These porosities are related to the decomposition of carbonate species formed during the heat-treatment. Dense films with a thickness ranging from 1 to 5 µm were synthesized via the deposition (spin-coating and dipcoating) of a solution containing YSZ nanoparticles. The calcination temperature influences the films’ density and porosity. YSZ films were synthesized on anode support (Ni-YSZ/YSZ) in order to evaluate the microstructure of these films in real fuel cell.