Preparation and performance of large-area La0.9Sr0.1Ga0.8Mg0.2O3−δ electrolyte for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cell

Pre-treated LSGM starting powders decrease in particle size, leading to an increase in the LSGM relative density and electric conductivity. The starting powders are ball-milled with the assistance of absolute ethanol to reduce the particle size, dried ultrasonically to prevent the agglomeration of the powders and pre-calcined and re-balled to increase the rate of grain growth. These improvements make it possible to obtain single phase LSGM powders with small particle size at the calcination temperature of 1300 °C. A large-area (9 cm × 9 cm) LSGM electrolyte substrate has been prepared successfully by tape casting from these powders. The LSGM electrolyte exhibits a dense structure, the relative density reaches 96%, and the electrical conductivity is 0.08 S cm−1 at 800 °C.