Electrophoretic deposition of electrolyte materials for solid oxide fuel cells

Electrophoretic deposition of electrolyte materials for solid oxide fuel cells, including La0.8Sr0.2Ga0.875Mg0.125O3-x, yttria stabilized zirconia and (Ce0.8Gd0.2)O-1.9, was studied under various experimental conditions. The use of phosphate ester as a dispersant and poly (vinyl butyral) as a binder enabled high deposition rate and formation of crack-free, adherent deposits. Electrodeposition rates were quantified in experiments performed at constant current and constant voltage modes from suspensions in ethanol, isopropanol and mixed ethanol-isopropanol solvents. The microstructure of as prepared and sintered deposits was studied by electron microscopy. The bath composition was optimized to enable formation of dense deposits. (C) 2004 Kluwer Academic Publishers.