Fabrication and Electrical Conductivity of a YSZ-NiCr Cermet

Abstract

YSZ-NiCr powder was synthesized by gel-reduction process at 850°C for 2 h. YSZ-NiCr cermet was fabricated by hot-press sintering at 1350°C for 1 h. The powder has a mean particle size of 42 nm and the sintered specimen has a fine and homogeneous microstructure with a mean crystalline size of 0.2 &m. The conductivity has a tendency to decrease with increasing temperature. This behavior can be accounted for that there are two conduction paths through the cermet, an electronic path through the Ni/Cr metal phase and an ionic path through the ZrO2-Y2O3 phase. The objective of this work is to give a possible improvement in the cermet anode of SOFC.