Preparation of a Nanoscale/SOFC-Grade Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia Material: A Quasi-Optimization of the Hydrothermal Coprecipitation Process

摘要

Yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) is the key material for an electrolyte of a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). In order to prepare a nanoscale/SOFC-grade 8YSZ material, the hydrothermal coprecipitation process is intensively investigated for process improvement and product identification. From the characterization results of the 8YSZ product, the operation conditions were selected for process optimization. The criteria used in optimization condition determination were the reproducibility of the 8YSZ product and the particle size, the crystallinity, as well as the operation simplicity. Experimental results showed that a nanoscale/SOFC-grade 8YSZ powder was directly prepared. The quasi-optimum conditions of the process are proposed.