Shaping and co-sintering of Solid Oxide Cells by tape casting process and recent developments 

Pierre-Marie GEFFROY

Institute of Research for Ceramics (IRCER), University of Limoges, CNRS, UMR 7315, F-87000 Limoges, France

Abstract:

The tape-casting process is widely used in the fabrication of planar ceramic devices, such as Solid Oxide Cells (SOC). In particular, the production of the porous support and functional layer of the hydrogen electrode by the conventional tape casting process consists of a porous multilayer system with precise control of microstructural parameters for good gas diffusion, and strong interlayer cohesion in order to prevent tape delamination.

The quality of tapes and multilayer systems depends on several key processing parameters, including suspension formulation, the mechanical behavior of the tapes during drying, and co-sintering conditions. In this talk, the rational approaches will be discussed to optimize these parameters with respect to the targeted microstructure and optimal electrochemical performances of cells.

Recent approaches reported in the literature also provide innovative tape casting processes for producing ceramic tapes with textured porosity, as well as for the production of the full hydrogen electrode and electrolyte in a single step, thereby avoiding delamination phenomena that are detrimental to mechanical properties. In particular, a novel co-casting method coupled with phase-inversion (CCPI) will also be presented. This original process generates a specific microstructure in which the porosity consists of oriented micro-channels.