Preparation of nickel coated YSZ powder for application as an anode for solid oxide fuel cells

Nickel-yttria stabilized zirconia (Ni-YSZ) cermet is widely used as an anode material for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). While the nickel-to-nickel chain maintains the electrical conductivity path, the YSZ contributes to lowering the thermal expansion and inhibits nickel coarsening during high temperature (1000 °C) operation. An electroless technique is employed to prepare a uniform nickel coating on the YSZ powder. The process parameters for this technique are optimized. Notably, the cermet thus prepared shows percolation at a much lower nickel content (10–20 vol.%) compared with those reported in the literature.