Ashley S. Harvey

Phase relations in the Ba–Sr–Co–Fe–O system at 1273 K in air

Selected compositions of the Ba–Sr–Co–Fe–O system were synthesized from powders by the solid-state reaction method. Samples were equilibrated at 1273 K for 36 000 s in air. The resulting powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) at room temperature and by high-temperature in situ XRD. The phases present in the BaxSr1−xCoyFe1−yO3−δ system are outlined for 1273 K in air. For most of the quaternary compositions, the cubic perovskite is formed, except for the compositions with x = 1 (excluding y = 0.4), y = 1 and x, y = 0.8, where the phases mainly show hexagonal distortions, and x, y = 0, for which a predominant cubic phase is mixed with other phases.

Nanoporous Ni–Ce0.8Gd0.2O1.9−x thin film cermet SOFC anodes prepared by pulsed laser deposition

Nickel oxide-gadolinia-doped ceria thin films with a ceria composition of 80 at% Ce and 20 at% Gd were grown by pulsed laser deposition on sapphire and SiO2/Si wafers as well as on yttria stabilized zirconia polycrystalline substrates. Upon reduction of the NiO phase in a H2/N2 atmosphere at 600 degrees C, a stable three-phase, 3-D interconnecting microstructure was obtained of metallic Ni, ceramic, and pores. Coarsening and segregation of the Ni to the surface of the film was observed at higher temperatures. The kinetics of this process depend strongly on the microstructures that can be developed in situ during deposition or post-deposition heat treatments. In situ minimization of Ni-coarsening can be achieved at temperatures as low as 500 degrees C when the deposition pressure does not exceed 0.02 mbar. For films deposited at higher pressure and at temperatures below 800 degrees C, coarsening can be minimized post deposition by annealing in air at 1000 degrees C. The films showed very good metallic conductivity and stability upon thermal cycling in a reducing atmosphere. Redox cycles performed at 600 degrees C between air and H2 induced a loss of connectivity of the metallic phase and consequent degradation of the conductivity. After 16 cycles, corresponding to 65 hrs, the conductivity is reduced by one order of magnitude.