Aqueous tape casting of yttria stabilised zirconia using natural product binder

A new and simple tape cast process has been developed for e.g. the fabrication of YSZ-electrolyte for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCʹs). The method is environmentally friendly since it is water-based and uses a natural compound as a binder. The tape cast suspension was formulated taking into account a maximal solids loading, a minimum of organic compounds, colloidal stability, rheological and wetting properties. Green sheets of variable thickness (50–400 μm) have been prepared. After sintering, dense and defect-free electrolyte material, as required for SOFCʹs, was obtained. The microstructure and the surface of the sintered sheet material were characterised with FESEM.