Fabrication of Dense La0.7Ca0.3Cr0.97O3 δ Interconnect Membrane on Novel SOFC Composite Support by Co-firing

Developing cost-effective methods to prepare dense ceramic interconnect membrane for tubular solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stacks is currently considered as a major technical obstacle. In order to improve the co-firing compatibility of SOFC support with both LaCrO3-based interconnects and Ni-based anodes, double-phase composite NiO/La0.7Ca0.3Cr0.97O3 δ (LCC97) was designed and then examined as novel SOFC support. Sintering character, microstructure, porosity, electrical conductivity and thermal expansion coefficient of the NiO/LCC97 composites were investigated in detail as a function of NiO content (5wt%, 25wt%, 50wt% and 75wt%). Results indicate that the interconnect material LCC97has desirable chemical and sintering compatibility with NiO. The NiO/LCC97 composite with weight ratio of 1:1 has excellent overall performance which can sufficiently meet the requirements for tubular SOFC support. By using a simple and cost-effective drop-coating/co-firing process, dense LCC97 interconnect thin membrane is successfully prepared on the novel NiO/LCC97(1:1) composite support. This work provides a simple technical solution for dense LaCrO3-based interconnect fabrication for tubular SOFC stacks.