Characterization and performance of glass–ceramic sealant to join metallic interconnects to YSZ and anode-supported-electrolyte in planar SOFCs

This work describes the design, development and performance of a glass–ceramic sealant used to join the ceramic electrolyte (YSZ wafer and anode-supported-electrolyte (ASE)) to the metallic interconnects (Crofer22 APU and AISI 430) in planar SOFC stacks. The designed glass–ceramic sealant is a barium-free silica-based glass, which crystallizes by means of the heat treatment after being deposited on substrates by the slurry technique.The sealing process of the glass–ceramic was optimized and joined ceramic/seal/metal samples were morphologically characterized and tested for 400 h in air atmosphere followed by 200 h in H2–3H2O atmosphere at the fuel-cell operating temperature of 800 °C. The study showed that the use of the glass–ceramic was successful in joining the ceramic electrolyte to the metallic interconnect and in preventing adverse corrosion effects at the interface.