Processing of YSZ screen printing pastes and the characterization of the electrolyte layers for anode supported SOFC

Screen printing pastes based on organic binder systems were developed for the production of dense electrolyte layers of Y0.16Zr0.84O1.92(8YSZ) on Ni/YSZ anode substrates for anode supported solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). Pastes with a solid loading up to 50 vol.% (86 wt.%) of YSZ powder and the adequate thixotropic behaviour for screen printing could be produced. Dense layers were obtained by sintering at 1430 °C and were shown to be gas tight by window and He leakage test. The electrical conductivity of the dense layers and the resulting activation energy (96–99 kJ mol−1) were obtained from impedance spectra in the temperature range from 250 °C to 900 °C. The agreement with literature values indicates that performing layers have been obtained.