Rapid Laser Processing of Thin Sr-Doped LaCrO3-δInterconnects for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Rapid laser reactive sintering (RLRS) is an additive manufacturing process which enables the quick and efficient fabrication of a wide range of ceramic-based cells with various geometries and microstructures. Herein, the preparation of La(0.8)Sr(0.2)CrO(3-delta)interconnects by RLRS for solid-oxide fuel/electrolysis cells (SOFC/ECs) is demonstrated. Uniform perovskite structure without residual intermediate phases can be achieved by CO(2)laser irradiation at 103 W with a scanning speed of 0.07-0.10 mm s(-1). Narrowing the width of the underlying MgO substrate and deposition of a terpineol-based slurry with a solid loading level of less than 4 g m(-2)are found to be critical parameters to avoid cracking and delamination. The optimum laser conditions balance Cr loss and densification of La(0.8)Sr(0.2)CrO(3-delta)resulting in an 11-mu m-thick RLRS-derived La(0.8)Sr(0.2)CrO(3-delta)film having a high relative density of 80-95% with a low area specific resistance (ASR) of 0.003 omega cm(2)at 600 degrees C. This ASR is more than 30 times lower than that of furnace-sintered La(0.8)Sr(0.2)CrO(3-delta)in the same thickness range. The RLRS technique is promising for quick and efficient preparation of dense and thin La(0.8)Sr(0.2)CrO(3-delta)which are key components for highly compact SOFC/ECs.