Effect of flash sintering on microstructure of Ce0.9Gd0.1O1.95 electrolyte fabricated by tape casting

Abstract

Flash sintering technique was applied to Ce0.9Gd0.1O1.95 (10GDC) electrolyte fabricated by tape-casting at different temperatures under various electric fields. Densification of the electrolyte at constant electric field depended mainly on the current passing through the sample. The applied electric field influenced the temperature at which the flash sintering occurred. To achieve the microstructure with high densification, a suitable current density must be selected. The temperature for flash sintering varies with the materials and the contact area between the particles, which changes with the particle size, the porosity and the inhomogeneity.