Fabrication of NiO/YSZ anode for solid oxide fuel cells by aerosol flame deposition

Abstract

Nickel oxide/yttria stabilized zirconia (NiO/YSZ) powder and thin film have been synthesized by aerosol flame deposition (AFD). The nano-sized and spherical NiO/YSZ particles were synthesized and the particle size distribution was controlled by changing processing parameters such as the concentration of the precursor solution. The synthesized powder was composed of YSZ particles of a few hundred nm size and NiO particles of a few tens nm size, which is ideal for the catalysis and reaction of hydrogen offering tremendous amount of three phase boundary. The electrical conductivity of 70% NiO/YSZ exhibited typical metallic behavior and was 10(-1) S/cm at 700 degrees C which is adequate for the anode of solid oxide fuel cell.