Key Issues in Processing Metal-Supported Proton Conducting Anodes For SOFC Applications

BaCe0.65Zr0.2Y0.15O3-delta (BCZY) have been recently proposed for IT-SOFCs due to its high proton conductivity. On the other hand considerable efforts are directed towards the development of metal-supported cells. The combination of the potential advantages offered by either proton conductors based cells and metal supported configuration has never been explored. In this work the technological issues to produce proton conducting BCZY-Ni anodes stainless steel-supported were carefully investigated. A tailored porous metal support was produced by tape casting. Afterwards the anode was deposited by screen printing and the resulting bilayer sintered in reducing atmosphere. Each step of the production process was thoroughly investigated. A cations interdiffusion between the metallic support and the anodic layer was observed in all range of temperatures considered. The influence of a CeO2 barrier layer and anode thickness on the cations diffusion and a successful production of planar crack-free anode was deeply analyzed.