Formation and Properties of a Support Made of Solid Solutions Based on Zirconium Oxide for Single Tubular Solid-Oxide Fuel Cells

Technique was developed for fabrication of a supporting thin-walled gas-tight ZrO₂–Y₂O₃ electrolyte base of strict configuration for tubular solid-oxide fuel cells. The technique includes a plasma-assisted deposition and vacuum impregnation with salt solutions, followed by a thermal treatment. The properties of plasma-ceramic solid electrolytes based on cubic and tetragonal (t') forms of ZrO₂ and the same electrolytes modified with small additions (0.5 wt %) of aluminum oxide were examined. The phase composition, electrical conductivity, thermal expansion, and stability of the materials synthesized were studied. A high stability in time of the tetragonal t'-solid electrolytes was noted, which opens up prospects for their application in solid-oxide fuel cells.