(Digital Only Presentation) Effects of Ink Solvent on the Screen-Printing Fabrication and Morphology of LSM-YSZ Thin Films Deposited on YSZ Substrate for Solid Oxide Electrochemical Cells

Abstract

Screen-printing is a cheap and easy thin film deposition technique utilized in energy devices fabrication, specifically, in solid oxide electrochemical cells (SOCs). In this study, LSM-YSZ, a promising component material for SOCs application was deposited on YSZ electrolyte via screen-printing. Specifically, the study aimed to investigate the effect of the solvent used in screen-printing and the effect of varying ink formulation on the quality of the deposited film. LSM-YSZ precursor powders synthesized via glycine-nitrate combustion process (GNP) were screen-printed on YSZ substrate using ethanol and alpha-terpineol solvents. The structure and morphology of LSM-YSZ thin films using two solvents were compared. Results showed that both solvents produced a rhombohedral LSM and cubic YSZ thin films and the use of a-terpineol solvent with higher solid content produced a desired uniform and porous morphology with homogenous pore distribution as revealed by XRD and SEM morphological results.