Study of the rheological behavior of an anode slurry and the microstructural properties of an anode functional film obtained by spray coating

Slurries prepared by mixing organic additives with NiO/YSZ powders were deposited by spray coating onto an anode substrate obtained by tape casting to produce a NiO/YSZ anode functional layer with 40 wt.% NiO. The rheology and the chemical stability of slurries with two concentrations of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), 1 and 2 wt.%, were systematically studied, and the microstructures of the anode functional films obtained were compared. Rheological measurements showed that both slurries present pseudoplastic and thixotropic behaviors and that the 2 wt.% PMMA slurry is more homogeneous and maintains chemical stability over a longer period of time. The anode functional films showed good adherence and were free of cracks.

Graphical abstractA NiO/YSZ anode functional layer with 40 wt.% NiO was obtained by spray coating. Slurry was prepared to obtain the anode. The rheology and zeta potential measurements of the slurry were studied. The rheological measurements showed that the slurry has pseudoplastic and thixotropic behaviors. These behaviors are described by the Herschel–Bulkley model.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide