Fabrication of Sm0.5Sr0.5CoO3 cathode films for intermediate temperature SOFCs by electrostatic spray deposition

The microstructural change of the Sm0.5Sr0.5CoO3 (SSC) electrode for a cathode material of solid oxdie fuel cells (SOFCs) deposited by the electrostatic spray deposition (ESD) technique was characterized. Samarium chloride hexahydrate (SmCl3 . 6H(2)O), strontium chloride hexahydrate (SrCl2 . 6H(2)O), cobalt nitrate hexahydrate (Co(NO3)(2) . 6H(2)O) as starting materials and methyl alcohol as solvent were used to make precursor solution. The suitable porous SSC films for a cathode of SOFCs were deposited on Si substrate and it is observed that the microstructure was strongly dependent on processing parameters such as deposition time, substrate temperature, and applied voltage. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and X-ray Diffractometer (XRD) measurement were used to investigate the microstructure and crystallinity of the SSC films. The ESD technique is shown to be an efficient method in which the SOFCs' cathode film can be fabricated with the desired phases and microstructure.