EVALUATION OF DEPOSITION TECHNIQUES OF CATHODE MATERIALS FOR SOLID OXIDE FUEL-CELLS

La1-xSrxMO3 (M = Mn, Co) cathode materials were prepared and deposited on yttria stabilized zirconia electrolyte samples by screen-printing and dc reactive magnetron sputtering. Good bonding and mechanical stability of screen-printed electrodes requires high firing temperature, which might cause formation of resistive reaction products. These reaction products are detrimental to the electrode performance. The use of sputter deposition avoids high firing temperature and prevents chemical reaction between the electrode and electrolyte materials. The performance of electrode layers was evaluated by dc polarization measurements. Sputter deposition usually leads to better electrode microstructures than those obtained by screen-printing.