Fabrication and structural properties of porous Cu–YSZ cermets for solid oxide fuel cells

In this study, porous Cu–YSZ cermets with various Cu contents are fabricated and their crystal structure and morphological features are investigated by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Carbon black-containing CuO/Y2O3-stabilized ZrO2 (YSZ) composites exhibit a highly porous structure due to the evolution of CO and CO2 gasses during sintering. The porosity of the CuO/YSZ composites decreases with increases of the sintering temperature and CuO content. Highly porous Cu/YSZ cermets are fabricated by reducing the porous CuO/YSZ composites in (Ar + 6% H2) atmosphere. Higher CuO content and higher sintering temperature reduce the porosity of Cu/YSZ cermets after reduction treatment. The microstructure and porosity of Cu/YSZ cermets as an anode material are remarkably affected by the CuO content, sintering temperature, and carbon black content. We believe that the porous Cu/YSZ cermets are a promising anode material for high performance of SOFC.