Mechanical properties and microstructure characterization of zirconia nanoparticles glass composites for SOFC sealant

In the present work, barium calcium aluminosilicate glass matrix was reinforced by 10, 15, and 20 vol% nanoparticles of total stabilized zirconia (TSZ). X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy were used to evaluate the microstructure features of the final composites. Mechanical properties of the heat-treated specimens at the SOFC application temperature (800 °C) were determined at ambient temperature for different times (1, 10, 30, 50 h). The obtained results show that mechanical properties were somehow improved in the presence of zirconia nanoparticles.