ǂThe ǂmicrostructural reconstruction of variously sintered Ni-SDC cermets using focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy nanotomography

Gregor Kapun (Author), Endre Majorovits (Author), Sašo Šturm (Author), Marjan Marinšek (Author), Tina Skalar (Author)

Abstract

This work focuses in-depth on the quantitative relationships between primary first-order microstructural parameters (i.e., volume fractions of various phases and particle size distribution) with the more complex second-order topological features (i.e., connectivity of phases, three-phase boundary length (TPB$_L$), interfacial areas, or tortuosity). As a suitable model material, a cermet nickel/samaria-doped ceria (Ni-SDC) is used as an anode in a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). A microstructure description of nano-sized Ni-SDC cermets, fabricated at various sintering conditions from 1100 °C to 1400 °C, was performed using FIB-SEM nanotomography. The samples were serially sectioned employing a fully automated slicing procedure with active drift correction algorithms and an auto-focusing routine to obtain a series of low-loss BSE images. Advanced image processing algorithms were developed and applied directly to image data volume. The microstructural–topological relationships are crucial for the microstructure optimisation and, thus, the improvement of the corresponding electrode performance. Since all grains of individual phases (Ni, SDC, or pores) did not percolate, special attention was given to the visualisation of the so-called active TPB$_L$. Based on the determined microstructure characteristics of the prepared Ni-SDC cermets, including simulations of gas flow and pressure drop, thermal treatment at 1200 °C was recognised as the most appropriate sintering temperature.

Keywords

gorivne celice s trdnim elektrolitom;kermeti;vrstični elektronski mikroskop s tehnologijo fokusiranega ionskega sklopa;mikrostruktura;morfologija;solide oxide fuel cells;cermets;focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy;microstructure;morphology;

Data

Language:	English
Year of publishing:	2024
Typology:	1.01 - Original Scientific Article
Organization:	UL FKKT - Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology
UDC:	620.1:621.352
COBISS:	199842819
ISSN:	1996-1944
Views:	48
Downloads:	0
Average score:	0 (0 votes)
Metadata:

Other data

Secondary language:	Slovenian
Secondary keywords:	gorivne celice s trdnim elektrolitom;kermeti;vrstični elektronski mikroskop s tehnologijo fokusiranega ionskega sklopa;mikrostruktura;morfologija;
Type (COBISS):	Article
Pages:	str. 1-19
Volume:	ǂVol. ǂ17
Issue:	ǂiss. ǂ13, article no. 3068
Chronology:	21 Jun. 2024
DOI:	10.3390/ma17133068
ID:	24473663