Fe-doped YSZ electrolyte for the fabrication of metal supported-SOFC by co-sintering

Considering Fe as sintering aid for Yttria Stabilized Zirconia (YSZ), studies have been conducted under conditions necessary for the fabrication of MS-SOFC by co-sintering. Pure and Fe doped YSZ was sintered at 1350 °C in air and in argon atmosphere and a comparative study has been performed. Structural characterizations were carried out using X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques, while ionic conductivity was measured in air using four-probe impedance spectroscopy. It is found that Fe enhances the sintering rate of YSZ in both air and argon atmosphere. All samples sintered in argon atmosphere are characterized by better ‘sinterability’, larger lattice parameter, higher density, larger grain size and lower conductivity, as compared to samples sintered in air. Ionic conductivity is found to decrease with increase in Fe concentration for all sintered samples.