Crystallography and thermal stability of textured Co-YSZ cermets from eutectic precursors

Textured cubic yttria stabilized zirconia (Co-YSZ) cermets produced by reduction of laser-assisted directionally solidified CoO-YSZ lamellar eutectics presents a microstructure of alternating lamellae of YSZ and porous metal. This microstructure is expected to improve the gas flow, electronic transport and oxygen ions diffusion of the isotropic cermet. Moreover, the cermet presents long-term stability at fuel cell operating temperatures. The stability of the cermet is related to the lamellar microstructure and to the good metal–ceramic bonding developed after reduction of the CoO-YSZ eutectic. These materials are proposed as cermet anodes for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells.