Microstructural study of Crofer 22 APU-glass interface for SOFC application

Glasses of composition (60-x)SiO2-15CaO-10Al(2)O(3)-(10 + x)Na2O-5TiO(2) (x = 0, 5, 10, 15) were prepared. The crystallization kinetics of prepared glasses were investigated by differential thermal analyzer, dilatometer and X-ray diffraction techniques. In order to check the applicability of the prepared glasses as a sealant in solid oxide fuel cell, these were deposited on Crofer 22 APU steel by slurry technique and thermally treated. The interface of the glass-steel composites was further analyzed under scanning electron microscope in conjunction with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray dot mapping. All glass samples exhibit phase separation. The phase separation tendency increases with increasing content of Na2O in glasses. The N-10 glass containing 10% Na2O shows good adhesion with Crofer 22APU. Copyright (C) 2011, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.