Effects of via hot-pressing loads and co-sintering temperature on anode–electrolyte substrate expansion in solid oxide fuel cells

The Figure shows the change in the thickness of the anode–electrolyte substrates (half-cell) with the different hot−pressing loads of 2000, 2500, 3000, and 3500 PSI. The results indicate that at hot−pressing loads of 3000 and 3500 PSI, the shape, dimension, and quality of the anode–electrolyte substrates were better than those in the other three cases. [Display omitted] •Effects of hot-pressing loads on manufacturing process of half-cells were investigated.•Effects of co-sintering temperature on manufacturing process of half-cells were investigated.•The structure of the anode–electrolyte substrates was examined. Investigation of the manufacturing process of anode–electrolyte substrate (half-cell) is of paramount importance for improving the electrodes of solid oxide fuel cells. In this study, the effects of hot-pressing loads and co-sintering temperatures on the anode–electrolyte substrate were examined. Loads of 2000, 2500, 3000, and 3500 PSI were applied during the hot-pressing process. After via hot pressing, the anode–electrolyte substrates were co-sintered at temperatures of 1300, 1350, 1400, and 1450 °C. In addition, SEM was used to investigate the structure of the anode–electrolyte substrates after via hot pressing and co-sintering. The results indicate that at hot-pressing loads of 3000 and 3500 PSI, the shape, dimension, and quality of the anode–electrolyte substrates were better than those in the other cases. Moreover, the results show that the structure of cell with co-sintering temperatures of 1300 and 1350 °C were much lower than those with temperatures of 1400 and 1450 °C.