Ultrafast high-temperature sintering of BaCe0.65Zr0.20Y0.15O3-δ electrolyte

In recent years, ultra-fast high-temperature sintering (UHS) has gained increasing attention as a promising technique for the rapid synthesis and densification of a wide range of materials. UHS method allows to achieve high material density in a short time, while minimizing grain growth and volatilization of constituent elements. In this study, we present a simple method to sinter BaCe0.65Zr0.20Y0.15O3-δ (BCZY) electrolyte by UHS. The process enabled to obtain dense materials with relative densities above 95% within 20 s at a temperature up to 1550 °C. The overall energy consumption is in the Wh range, or tens of kJ g−1. Sintered samples show good mechanical stability and high purity phase. Physical and electrochemical analyses were performed. Conductivity of 10.2 mS cm−1 at 700 °C is comparable with data from conventional sintering methods.