Patent ID: 6051173
Filing Date: 2000-04-18
Classification: C04B,H01M,Y02E,Y02P,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of making an SOFC with controlled porosity, comprising the steps of:forming at least one layer of unsintered ceramic material, the ceramic material chosen for use as an anode of an SOFC, the unsintered ceramic material comprising a catalyst selected from the group consisting of platinum, rhodium, ruthenium and mixtures thereof;forming at least one layer of unsintered ceramic material, the ceramic material chosen for use as an electrolyte of an SOFC, the unsintered ceramic material comprising a catalyst selected from the group consisting of platinum, rhodium, ruthenium and mixtures thereof;forming at least one layer of unsintered ceramic material, the ceramic material chosen for use as a cathode of an SOFC, the unsintered ceramic material comprising a catalyst selected from the group consisting of platinum, rhodium, ruthenium and mixtures thereof;forming at least one layer of unsintered ceramic material, the ceramic material chosen for use as an interconnect of an SOFC, the unsintered ceramic material comprising a catalyst selected from the group consisting of platinum, rhodium, ruthenium and mixtures thereof;stacking and laminating the anode, electrolyte, cathode and interconnect layers into an SOFC unsintered laminate; andsintering the SOFC unsintered laminate in a neutral or reducing atmosphere to result in an SOFC having controlled porosity, wherein the catalyst in each of the anode, electrolyte, cathode and interconnect layers at least partially controlling the porosity of the respective layers during sintering.