METHOD OF MAKING SOLID-OXIDE FUEL CELL Russian patent published in 2009 - IPC H01M8/10 H01M8/04 

FIELD: chemistry.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to the method of making solid-oxide fuel cell (SOFC) in a single thermal cycle. According to the invention, the method involves formation of an electrode layer and deposition of electrolyte material on the surface of the electrode. The formed structure is an electrode-electrolyte bi-layer. On this bi-layer a second electrode is deposited for formation of a multilayer structure of the fuel cell, comprising an electrolyte, placed between two electrodes. This multilayer structure is then heated and annealed in one thermal cycle for removal of any binding substances and agglomeration, respectively, of the fuel cell. This thermal cycle can be carried out in a furnace, with one or more chambers. The chamber(s) preferably contain(s) a microwave source with variable frequency or a multiple-frequency source of microwaves for heating the fuel cell and removal of binding substances in the structures of the electrolyte and electrode. The chamber(s) also preferably contain(s) a source of heat convection and/or radiation for agglomeration of the fuel cell. Also the invented method harmonises and minimises the difference between thermophysical properties of the structures of the electrolyte and electrode. This harmonisation minimises the temperature gradient inside the fuel cell, so that the structure can be uniformly heated and annealed during the thermal cycle.

EFFECT: shorter thermal cycle, increased efficiency of manufacture, improved boundary contact and strength between layers, reduced internal stress thus preventing deformation of the multilayer structure.

34 cl, 8 dwg