Characterization of thin films for solid oxide fuel cells facilitated by micropatterning

Micropatterning techniques offer the possibility of obtaining freely selectable thin film patterns with lateral dimensions down to the micrometer range. Furthermore, reaction sites can be systematically impacted or deactivated. This article reviews studies which have utilized these possibilities in order to characterize electrochemically electrode thin films for solid oxide fuel cells. In a second part, a processing route for the fabrication of characterization platforms, allowing for the electrical and electrochemical characterization of metal oxide thin films, is presented.