About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
MS&T25: Materials Science & Technology
|
| Symposium
|
Engineering Ceramics: Microstructure-Property-Performance Relations and Applications
|
| Presentation Title |
Hybrid Microwave Sintering of Electrolytes for SOEC/SOFC Applications |
| Author(s) |
Tugrul Yumak, Mohan Thorat, Ansan Pokharel, Javier Mena, Katarzyna Sabolsky, Shavinka Jayasekera, Terence Musho, Edward Sabolsky |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Tugrul Yumak |
| Abstract Scope |
Doped-Zirconia and -ceria ceramics are the most widely used electrolytes in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) and solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) due to their high oxygen-ion conductivity, chemical stability, and mechanical strength at elevated temperatures. Conventional densification of YSZ (Y-stabilized zirconia) typically requires sintering at 1350–1550°C for 2–5 hours, with a heating rate of 2–5°C/min and a cooling rate of 1–3°C/min. However, this process is highly time-consuming and energy intensive. From an economic standpoint, hybrid microwave (MW) sintering, which enables densification within 20–25 minutes, presents a promising alternative.We investigate the influence of key MW processing parameters on the physical, microstructural, and electrochemical properties of YSZ and other electrolyte materials. A comparative analysis with conventionally sintered materials was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of hybrid MW sintering. In addition, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and conductivity measurements were conducted to discuss the final electrochemical properties. |