The microtubular design of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), which are promising electrochemical power sources, has a number of significant advantages over traditional planar and tubular designs: increased resistance to the cell (stack) heating rate and packing density of cells in a stack. The paper presents results on the development of a microtubular SOFC (MT-SOFC) fabrication method based on compaction and co-sintering a set of films. The formation of an anode-supported MT-SOFC having a Ni-cermet collector (support) and functional layers of about 300 and 50 μm thick, respectively; a Zr0.84Y0.16O2–δ solid electrolyte layer (40 μm); and a cathode based on La0.7Sr0.3MnO3–δ has been developed. The outer diameter and length of the MT-SOFC were 3.9 and 12 mm, respectively. The maximum specific power generated by the MT-SOFC at 850°C was 0.21 W/cm2.

Fabrication by co-sintering method of a multilayer pore-free electrode–electrolyte structure promising for use in solid-oxide fuel cell and its characteristics have been studied. A material with high ionic conductivity of La0.88Sr0.12Ga0.82Mg0.18O3–δ (LSGM) served as electrolyte. The composite electrode was formed from a 1: 2 mixture of LSGM and LSFG (La0.7Sr0.3Fe0.95Ga0.05O3–δ). The maximum temperature of the materials co-sintering ability is 1250°C. It was shown by the impedance spectroscopy that the polarization resistance of the LSGM–LSFG electrode is 0.14 Ω cm2 at 800°C.

Direct transformation of chemical energy of fuel to energy with use Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) is perspective technology of highly effective, non-polluting power. Individual fuel cells are multilayered heterostructure on a basis ionic conductivity the solid electrolyte, consisting of materials with various properties and type of conductivity. It the material of electrolyte should possess high only ionic conductivity and to be gastight materials of electrodes should have high electronic and ionic conductivity, catalalyic activity and possess sufficient porosity for delivery and to tap of reagents on three-phase, where are basic reactions to not create diffuses difficulties and to not limit course of a current.

The effect of the degree of dispersion and the ratio of initial components of metalloceramic composites based on Ni and Sc2O3-stabilized ZrO2 (Ni/ScSZ) on the kinetics of sintering, conductivity, and polarization resistance of the corresponding anodes in solid-oxide fuel cells (SOFC) is studied. The composites are prepared from nano- and submicrosized powders of NiO and ScSZ (10.5 mol % Sc2O3) containing particles with the average size of 0.02–0.33 μm. Anode composites of three types differing in the ratio of initial components (NiO-ScSZ) with different degrees of dispersion: micro-micro, nano-micro, and nano-nano are studied. Due to the ratio of particle sizes, the anodic composites of the nano-nano type demonstrate the preferential electronic conduction (the percolation threshold) starting from the Ni content of about 35 vol %, in contrast to the other two types of anodic composites for which this threshold is achieved at 30 vol %. The lowest polarization resistance is typical of anode composites with the Ni content of about 40 vol %. The use of one or both components in the nanosized state makes it possible to decrease the anodic polarization up to two times. It is demonstrated that an active cermet anode for SOFC can be fabricated in the form of a planar three-layer structure Ni/ScSZ-ScSZ-Ni/ScSZ prepared from nanosized powders by the tape casting technique and cosintering.

The target of this work is the demonstration of advanced approaches able to provide non-silicon MEMS platforms for chemical sensor operating under harsh environmental conditions and, on the other hand, to assure microhotplate stable at high temperature, which can be used for the deposition of refractory gas-sensing materials, for example, oxides of gallium, zirconium, or hafnium. Non-silicon materials that can be used for these MEMS platforms include aluminum oxide, yttria-stabilized zirconia and thin borosilicate glass. It was shown that thin ceramic films made of oxide materials can withstand annealing temperature up to 1000°C, MEMS sensor based on these films consumes <70mW at continuous heating at 450°C and ∼1mW in pulsed heating operation mode. Ceramic MEMS show higher stability at high temperature compared to silicon technology based MEMS, whereas power consumption of both types of devices is comparable.

Lowering the working temperature of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) is the main trend in their development, which requires selection of materials for electrolyte and electrodes. A highly conducting lanthanum gallate-based electrolyte is a promising material for creating medium-temperature SOFCs. The electrochemical characteristics of the La0.6Sr0.4Fe0.8Co0.2O3 − δ cathode that contacted with the La0.88Sr0.12Ga0.82Mg0.18O2.85 electrolyte subject to electrode formation temperatures have been investigated. It was found that at optimum bake-on temperatures of 1200–1250°C, the cathode polarization resistance at 800°C was ∼0.08 Ohm cm2, which is comparable to the world’s best achievements.

Synthesis, ionic conductivity, and ageing behavior of [x Y2O3–(10−x) Sc2O3]–90 ZrO2 (x=2, 3, 4, and 5mol%) as well as 10–11mol% Sc2O3–ZrO2 electrolytes are presented. High dense homogeneous ceramic samples with fine microstructure were prepared from laser synthesized mixed nanopowders 10YSZ and 10ScSZ using low sintering temperatures of 1010–1300°C. Stabilization of cubic fluorite-type phase has been achieved for Y-doped ScSZ composites at these temperatures. It is shown that the DC conductivity of the Y-doped ScSZs decreases proportionally to the yttria content throughout the temperature range studied, from 500 to 900 °C. Ageing behavior of the electrolytes was studied at 850°C for 1200–2700h. Low resistivity degradation of Y-doped ScSZ not exceeded 10% during extended annealing for 2700h has been obtained for the samples sintered below 1100°C. High and stable conductivity has been obtained for 10ScSZ and 11ScSZ. Any decrease in their conductivity during extended annealing was not detected.

The application of thin ceramic films for the fabrication of MEMS devices enables the extension of their working temperature range up to 600°C, a decrease in heating power consumption, and a very considerable decrease in production cost of sensors and actuators based on this technology. These advantages are very important for the application of gas sensors under harsh environmental conditions, in autonomous and wireless sensor networks. The methods of the fabrication of MEMS platforms for metal oxide semiconductor and thermocatalytic gas sensors, fast thermometers, and flowmeters based on yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) and alumina membranes for gas sensors are described. Alumina membranes stable up to 800°C have thickness of about 12 microns and are produced by anodic oxidation of aluminum foil in diluted oxalic acid followed by high-temperature annealing. YSZ membrane with the same thickness is made by slip casting with consequent annealing under mechanic load. Platinum heaters are deposited onto the surface of the membrane by magnetron sputtering through metallic shadow mask. Perfect adhesion of platinum to ceramic material permits us to avoid the application of adhesive sub-layers, and, therefore, improves long-term stability of the heater at high temperature. The sensor chip has a shape of triangle cut by laser beam; the heater meander is located in the vertex of triangle. This approach simplifies the technology of the fabrication of the platform and decreases power necessary for the heating of the sensing layer up to working temperature of 400 – 600°C. It is shown that the application of such triangle shaped membranes permits a decrease in power consumption of the MEMS working at 450°C down to ~ 40 mW at continuous and down to < 1 mW at pulse heating of gas sensor with duty cycle of 1 %. Thermal response time of the microheater is of about 80 ms.

We present a novel approach to the fabrication of MEMS devices, which can be used for gas sensors operating in harsh environment in wireless and autonomous information systems. MEMS platforms based on ZrO2/Y2O3 (YSZ) and alumina membranes are applied in these devices. The methods of fabrication of these ceramic MEMS devices are considered. It is shown that the application of such membranes permits a decrease in MEMS power consumption at 450 0 C down to ~75 mW at continuous heating and down to ~ 1 mW at pulse heating of gas sensor. The application of the platforms is not restricted by gas sensors: they can be used for fast thermometers, bolometric matrices, flowmeteres and other MEMS devices working under harsh environmental conditions.

Highly dispersed single-phase powders described as La 0.88 Sr 0.12 Ga 0.82 Mg 0.18 O 2.85 were prepared using a method based on the principles of self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS). Lanthanum, strontium, gallium, and magnesium nitrates were used in the SHS as “oxidants”, and ethylene glycol was used as the reducing agent. The initial reaction mixture was liquid. According to X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy data, the sample becomes a single phase after annealing of the primary SHS product at 1200°C, which is substantially lower than in other synthetic methods. Using so active powders (grain size of about 100–130 nm), it is possible to reduce the temperature of the final annealing of the ceramics to 1275°C, which gives rise to single-phase finely dispersed ceramics having specific properties.

A multicomponent solid electrolyte of composition Ce0.8(Sm0.75Sr0.2Ba0.05)0.2O2 − δ has been synthesized by three different techniques: solid-state reaction, laser evaporation, and the glycine nitrate process. Its microstructure, sintering kinetics, and electrical properties have been studied in relation to the synthesis technique. Ceramics produced using laser evaporation consisted of submicron (0.2 μm) grains and offered the highest electrical conductivity: 27 × 10−3 S/cm at 873 K.

The methods of the fabrication of MEMS platforms based on yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) and alumina membranes for gas sensors used in harsh environmental conditions are described. It is shown that the application of such membranes permits a decrease in MEMS power consumption at 450 degrees C down to similar to 75 mW at continuous and down to similar to 1 mW at pulse heating of gas sensor.

The paper presents the scientific basis and technical implementation of a method for obtaining oxygen by extraction from air using an electrochemical cell based on a solid oxide cell (SOC) with anion-conducting solid electrolyte. A nanopowder of a weak aggregate of the YSZ solid electrolyte and LSM fine powder was used to manufacture SOC. The electrolyte-electrode SOC structure was formed as a tube by joint pressing of functional layers and the further co-sintering at the temperature of 1200°C. The characteristics of an electrochemical cell of the oxygen pump based on a thin-wall tube of the YSZ supporting electrolyte (150 μm) with symmetrical electrodes based on LSM (∼20 μm) are studied. A prototype of a compact oxygen generator (oxygen pump) is developed and manufactured with an electrochemical part based on three serially connected SOCs. The connection is implemented in the form of metallic couplings of the Crofer 22 APU steel. The method of reaction magnetron sputtering was used to protect current leads from corrosion by applying a coating based on a Mn x Co3 − x O4 spinel. The efficiency of a demonstration prototype at 800°C was 9 l/h at the power consumption of 50 W. The current density through SOC was 1.1 A/cm2. The prototype was designed to contain no noble metal components. It is shown that the engineering approach applied allows manufacturing effective nanostructural SOCs and devices on their basis.

The properties of dispersions of nanosized powders of yttrium oxide-stabilized cubic zirconium dioxide (YSZ) are studied. The sizes of YSZ aggregates are determined under different conditions. Dispersants for dispersions of YSZ nanosized powders in isopropanol are obtained through partial esterification of poly(acrylic acid) with triethyl orthoformate. The composition and structure of the dispersants are optimized.

Ceramics of the La0.88Sr0.12Ga0.82Mg0.18O3 − δ solid electrolyte was obtained by magnetic-pulse compaction (MPC) of a powder synthesized using the self-propagating high-temperature synthesis technique with further sintering at 1380°C. Conductivity and its change in time were studied. It was shown that conductivity of fresh samples coincides with conductivity of ceramics obtained using the classical solid-phase synthesis. It was established that conductivity of electrolyte decreased by 18% during isothermal exposure at 700°C for 1 year.

The effect of both the molding pressure and the sintering conditions on a density of solid oxide electrolyte La0.88Sr0.12Ga0.82Mg0.18O2.85 is studied. The ablation process of material components from ceramics surface to vaporous state at temperature up from 1573 К is observed. The lattice constant also changes at these conditions. It is assumed that phase transition exists that is responsible to these two phenomena.