Fabrication of dense LaCrO₃-based interconnect thin membrane on anode substrates by co-firing

In order to develop cost-effective method to prepare ceramic interconnect membrane for solid oxide fell cell stacks, the triple-phase composites of NiO/Sm_0.2Ce_0.8O_2-δ/La_0.7Ca_0.3Cr_0.97O_3-δ with the weight ratios of 6:4:x (x = 0, 2, 3, 4, 5) were, respectively prepared, and then examined as novel anode supports. The sintering character, microstructure, electrical conductivity, fracture strength, and thermal expansion coefficient of the anodes were, respectively investigated in detail as a function of La_0.7Ca_0.3Cr_0.97O_3-δ content. Results indicate the above-mentioned performances of NiO/Sm_0.2Ce_0.8O_2-δ/La_0.7Ca_0.3Cr_0.97O_3-δ anode at x ≤ 3 have no significant reduction, and are still acceptable for the practical requirements for solid oxide fell cells. Furthermore, by using a simple and cost-effective drop-coating/co-firing process, dense La_0.7Ca_0.3Cr_0.97O_3-δ interconnect membrane was successfully prepared on the anode support of NiO/Sm_0.2Ce_0.8O_2-δ/La_0.7Ca_0.3Cr_0.97O_3-δ at x = 3. This work presents a simple technical route for developing dense interconnect membranes for Sm_0.2Ce_0.8O_2-δ-based fuel cell stacks.