Comparison of ultra-fast microwave sintering and conventional thermal sintering in manufacturing of anode support solid oxide fuel cell

Ultra-fast microwave sintering in a multi-mode domestic microwave oven with selective susceptor and spacer has been proved to be an effective and facile method in the manufacturing of anode support solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). Two anode support SOFCs were fabricated by using ultra-fast microwave sintering and conventional thermal sintering techniques, separately. The performances of the two cells were measured and compared in a temperature range of 700-800 degrees C. The microstructures of the two cells after the measurements were compared qualitatively based on SEM images. FIB-SEM technique was used to reconstruct the 3-D microstructure of both anode and cathode. The quantitative comparison of 3-D reconstructions shows the application potential and the advantages of microwave technique in SOFCs manufacturing. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.