YSZ electrolyte coating on NiO–YSZ composite by electrophoretic deposition for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs)

A thick dense film of YSZ has been fabricated on a porous NiO–YSZ substrate from the YSZ powders in the mixtures of absolute acetyl acetone–ethanol suspensions by electrophoretic deposition (EPD) method. Parameters affected on substrate porosity like pre-sintering temperature and percentage of starch and parameters affected on EPD process like applied voltage and time of deposition have been investigated. Linear dependence between weights of deposition, deposition time and applied voltage were observed. A crack-free dense thick film of YSZ was obtained on porous NiO–YSZ substrate. Adhesion between the two layers was observed by SEM. The ability of ionic transfer and permeability of the YSZ electrolyte were investigated by EIS, as well.