Investigation on microstructures of NiO–YSZ composite and Ni–YSZ cermet for SOFCs

NiO–YSZ composites and Ni–YSZ cermets were successfully performed for solid oxide fuel cell applications. These composites must have enough porosity and appropriate microstructure for transferring the fuel gases. In this study, ball-milling was used as a simple, cost-effective method for the purpose of mixing the raw materials. The homogeneity of NiO–YSZ composites was examined by Map mode of SEM. NiO–YSZ composites were reduced at the high temperature under the controlled atmosphere to fabricate Ni–YSZ cermet. Variations in the anode phases were investigated by XRD and microstructure and porosity of composites were observed by SEM. Effective parameters like temperatures and the amount of pore former were investigated on open porosity, bulk density, electrical conductivity as well as electrochemical impedance of NiO–YSZ composites and Ni–YSZ cermet. A thin layer of YSZ was deposited by EPD as an electrolyte on NiO–YSZ composites which had various amount of open porosity, to study its effect on the performance of semi-cells by electrochemical impedance.