Mechanically Assisted Deposition of Nikel Oxide-Ytttria Stabilized Zirconia Nanocomposite Film and its Microstructural Evolution for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Anode Application

Nikel oxide-ytttria stabilized zirconia (NiO-YSZ) nanocomposite particles were synthesized and deposited on a dense YSZ substrate using an attrition-type milling apparatus. The NiO-YSZ nanocomposite porous films were successfully fabricated from the nanocomposite particles with high specific surface areas (>> 10m2/g). In this deposition, the nanocomposite particles were mechanically dispersed in air, resulting in their fine aggregates (similar to 100nm in size). Then, they were mechanically impacted on the substrate (collision speed, similar to 30m/s). By the subsequent sintering of the nanocomposite film, the finely constructed three dimensional NiO-YSZ network structure was formed, and its reduced Ni-YSZ porous film showed an excellent SOFC anode performance.