Preparation of Cu/GDC Cermet Anode by Sintering via Surface Modification with MgO Sol

Abstract

CuO/GDC composite powder with 50 wt% of CuO was prepared by surface modification of ~60 nm GDC powder with Cu precursors. Since copper oxide melts at lower temperature than GDC sintering temperature, fabrication procedure was modified by inducing infiltration of molten copper oxide via capillary force and then followed by heat treatment at ~1000 °C . Surface modification was carried out with a MgO sol to suppress agglomeration of GDC. Such prepared Cu/GDC cermets showed uniform microstructure and excellent electric conductivity of ~6000 S/cm for the Cu/GDC cermet and ~10000 S/cm for the modified one at 800°C.