Synthesis of porous LSM films on dense YSZ substrates for use in SOFC

Abstract

Ceramic thin films are of great importance in the development and fabrication of devices such as SOFC. The porous microstructure of the electrodes is crucial for the overall performance of the SOFC and it is quite influenced by the fabrication process. In this sense, LSM films were obtained over 0,25 µm rough YSZ dense substrates heated at 650°C, using a salts solution and an airbrush. By XRD patterns the LSM perovskite phase was identified in both samples. The obtained films showed very high porosity with great pore size distribution. The LSM films exhibit grains with size around 60 nm in average. A more continuous film, practically without cracks, was obtained depositing 2 mL of the solution. The presence of microstructural defects in the film obtained wjth 1,5 mL of solution increased the cathode polarization compared with the one obtained with 2,0 mL of solution.