Optimization of a ScCeSZ/GDC bi-layer electrolyte fabrication process for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells

Cost-effective wet ceramic coating techniques for fabricating ScCeSZ/GDC bi-layer electrolyte anode-supported button cells were investigated in this study. Aqueous ceramic slurries were prepared by ball milling and then used for Ni/ScCeSZ half cell fabrication by tape casting and spin coating. Prepared cells were tested at operating temperature between 700 and 800°C with a fuel composition of hydrogen:nitrogen 3:1 and air at the cathode. The cell with a spin coated GDC film showed the maximum power density of 1.142, 1.012, 0.813 W•cm−2 at 800, 750, and 700°C, respectively. It was also able to produce power output around 0.7 W•cm−2 for 500 h at 750°C, which confirms the cell operational stability. More importantly, the GDC film prepared by spin coating effectively avoided the formation of the (Zr,Ce)O2−based solid solution at the ceria/zirconia interface compared with the other cells with the co-casted and sintered GDC film.