EPMA OF INTERFACES APPLIED TO THE SOLID OXIDE FUEL-CELL

Chemical interactions at the phase boundaries of materials applied for the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) have been studied by EPMA. The chemical reactivity at the interface of Lay-xSrxMnO3/ZrO2-Y2O3 is dependent on the stoichiometry (y) and the Sr content (x) of the perovskite. Typical reaction products (zirconates) and a diffusion zone in the ZrO2-Y2O3 have been observed. The extension of cation release (Mn) is related to the increasing chemical activity of Mn oxide in the perovskite by the Sr substitution for La. The wettability of the metal/oxide interface in the anode cermet (Ni/ZrO2-Y2O3) has been found to be influenced by chemical reactions resulting from the applied reducing atmosphere with high carbon activity. The disintegration of ZrO2-Y2O3 in contact with molten Ni or Ni-Ti and Ni-Cr alloys leads to the redeposition of Y2O3-enriched oxides and also to Zr-rich intermetallic compounds and eutectics.