Optimization of Ceramic Composites in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells by Hierarchical Functional Architecturing of Powder Packing Structure

Abstract

Solid oxide fuel cell is a composite of composites, and goes through a series of composite processing. SOFC always experience extensive constrained sintering in co-firing and post-firing due to shrinkage mismatches. Even though constraints are internal, external, or in combination, SOFCs suffer from critical flaws without optimization of constrained sintering. Thus it is necessary to understand the effects of internal and external constraints on sintering and microstructure development. In this study, we present examples and mechanistic explanation in which critical process flaws were suppressed by hierarchical functional control of the powder packing structure in the viewpoint of constrained sintering.