Supported Electrolyte Thin Film Synthesis of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells*

Solid oxide fuel cells operating at temperatures below 800°C require the use of supported thin film solid electrolytes. A variety of processing methods are reviewed that can deliver electrolyte films with satisfactory performance. These include vapor phase, sol-gel, and powder methods such as colloidal deposition. An important consideration is that a number of these processing methods may not meet the low cost required by commercialization. The most cost-effective methods are considered to be simple powder methods combined with co-firing.