Description:
AbstractThis work focuses on the deposition of thin‐film electrolytes. Sol–Gel Spin‐coating technique has been used to create thin films and subsequent characterization of the different sub‐surfaces has been undertaken. The substrates are composed of ferritic oxide strengthened Fe–Cr alloy (ITM). A common challenge in coating these supports is their high roughness and porosity in comparison with state‐of‐the‐art ceramic substrates. Here, the nickel and 8 mol.% yttria‐stabilized zirconia (8YSZ) based anode is made of graded layers, which reduces the roughness and porosity of the metal support. The quality of the thin spin‐coated electrolyte‐layers depends on the microstructure of the sub‐surface. Influencial variables are the surface roughness, the pore size and its depth. To understand the dependencies between these variables and the coating properties, analyses with various optical measurement methods have been carried out prior to coating. Standard roughness detection using optical profilometry and confocal laser scanning microscopy were compared for surface characterization. The Sobel edge detection method was used to analyze images and was able to clearly reveal defects. The fabricated electrolytes have a thickness ∼0.5 μm with leak rates of 1 – 10×10–4 (hPa dm3 s–1 cm–2) against air of metallic supported cells with a reduced anode, which are comparable to those of anode‐supported cells.