Electrical and Mechanical Properties of CeO2-Based Thin-Film Coatings Obtained by Electrophoretic Deposition

Abstract

Nanometer Ce_0.8(Sm_0.75Sr_0.20Ba_0.05)_0.2O_{2 – δ} powder with mean nanoparticle size of 15 nm has been obtained by laser evaporation of a solid-phase target followed by condensation. The nanopowder has been used to prepare suspensions for electrophoretic deposition in a mixed isopropanol : acetyl acetone = 50 : 50 vol % disperse medium offering the unique property of self-stabilization. Optimal conditions for electrophoretic deposition have been found, and uniform thin-film electrolytic coatings have been formed on a La₂NiO₄ cathodic carrier substrate (12–15% porosity). It has been shown that the resulting electrolyte offers a high adhesivity and has, after sintering at 1400°C, a compact granular structure with grains from 1 to 8 μm in size. The conductivity of the 2-μm-thick electrolyte equals 0.1 S/cm at 650°C.