Chemical Compatibility of Glass Sealants with Electrolyte (8YSZ) for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Applications

Abstract

Four glasses are synthesized by melt quench technique. The as prepared glasses are characterized by X-Ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, dilatometery, differential thermal analysis (DTA) and UV-Visible spectroscopy for their structural, thermal and optical properties. All prepared samples are amorphous in nature. All the glasses are in insulating range. The highest optical band gap is 3.84 eV for CZ-4 glass. The coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of all the glasses is in required range for sealant in solid oxide fuel cells applications. The diffusion couple of glasses/ yttria stabilized zirconia (8YSZ) are made for interfacial study. The diffusion couples are heat treated at 850 °C for 1000 h in oxidizing atmosphere. All the diffusion couples formed smooth interface with minimum reactions at the interface. The best interface is formed between CZ-1/8YSZ diffusion couple.