Fabrication and Characterization of thin Ceramic Films by Spray Pyrolysis

Results are presented of the application and process parameter optimization of the technique of solution spray pyrolysis for the fabrication of functional films of the type Cu-CeO2 και La0.75Sr0.25MnO3 (LSM) on dense pellets of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ). The first type of deposited film constitutes a cermet (ceramic-metal composite) that combines the properties of an inert electronic conductor (Cu) and a catalyst while the second is a typical perovskite that exhibits mixed (i.e. ionic and electronic) conductivity. Both types of electrodes find wide use in ceramic fuel cells, gas sensors and catalytic processes.