Effects of pre-calcined YSZ powders at different temperatures on Ni–YSZ anodes for SOFC

The particle size distribution and the specific surface area of yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) powders could be changed by pre-calcining. Accordingly, the performances of Ni–YSZ cermet might be changed too. In this paper, the effects of pre-calcined YSZ powders on Ni–YSZ cermet were investigated. The performances of Ni–YSZ cermet, including the basic physical characterization, sintering shrinkage and electrochemical properties, were studied in connection with the quality of YSZ powders pre-calcined at 900 °C, 1100 °C and 1200 °C, respectively. The results indicated that the crystal structure was not changed, but the porosity of open holes in NiO–YSZ pellets was increased with the pre-calcining temperature increasing. In addition, the total shrinkage of different anode materials was changed by using different YSZ powders, the value of Ni–YSZ cermet doping with YSZ pre-calcined at 900 °C and 1100 °C was closer to that of YSZ electrolyte. The cermet with YSZ powders pre-calcined at 900 °C showed the highest electric conductivity, and its polarization performance was closed to that of cermet with raw YSZ powders.