Microstructure Modification of NiO/YSZ Anode in Solid Oxide Fuel Cell by Particle Size Gradation of YSZ

The idealized microstructure of NiO/YSZ anode of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is that YSZ structures the bone of the anode and NiO is segregated by YSZ to keep Ni from congregation. To obtain this microstructure, the mixture of coarse YSZ and fine YSZ was used. The effect of the particle size gradation of YSZ on the microstructure of anode was studied. The results show that the homogenous microstructure can be obtained when the mass ratio of the coarse YSZ (d50＝3.38µm) to the fine YSZ (d50＝0.4µm) is 7:3. The pre-sintering temperature has obvious effect on the porosity of the NiO/YSZ. The bending strength of NiO/YSZ and Ni/YSZ are 123MPa and 85MPa, respectively. The reduction of NiO to Ni has less effect on the bending strength for 40vol%Ni/YSZ (7/3).