Simple and rapid preparation of Ce0.9Gd0.1O1.95 electrolyte films for anode-supported solid oxide fuel cells

Anode-supported solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) have attracted much attention in recent years because of their lower operating temperature. For the preparation of anode-supported SOFCs, one of the key steps is the production of dense electrolyte films on the porous anode substrate. In this study, Ce0.9Gd0.1O1.95 (GDC) electrolyte films with the thickness range of 1–75 μm are successfully prepared on porous NiO-GDC substrates by simple, rapid and cost-effective methods: dry co-pressing method and spray dry co-pressing method. The open porosity of the NiO-GDC substrates is approximately 23%, and the porosity including closed pores of the GDC electrolyte films is less than 2.6%. The prepared GDC electrolyte films are homogenous, dense and well adhered to the porous NiO-GDC substrates, without cracks and connecting pores observed. The results of helium gas permeability tests show that the prepared GDC electrolyte films are gas-tight. Therefore, it is expected that the developed method for thin electrolyte films provides a simple and useful technique for producing electrolytes for anode-supported SOFCs.