Simplified processing of anode-supported thin film planar solid oxide fuel cells

The concept of anode-supported planar solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) involves different fabrication procedures and several sintering steps. This contribution is an attempt towards minimizing the number of sintering steps. By adopting an improved technique a pre-firing step was eliminated. Cells obtained following this co-firing technique showed relatively higher power density (∼1 A cm−2 at 0.7 V) at an operating temperature of 800 °C compared to the cells prepared by the conventional technique. In the present investigation, cells as large as10 cm×10 cm were prepared and characterized following the new co-firing approach. Detailed microstructural, leak-rate testing (gastightness of the sintered electrolyte film) and electrochemical characterizations were carried out.