Structural and Electrical Properties of Pulsed Laser Deposited Yttrium Doped Zirconium Oxide Thin Film Stabilization

Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) are devices that use electrochemical reactions to convert chemical energy from fuel to electricity. In comparison with coal power plants, a SOFC produces a higher electrical conversion efficiency. SOFC is a possible candidate for energy production. However, at higher temperatures (800-1000°C) it creates a lower ionic conductivity, which limits the SOFC. When lowering the temperature, the ohmic resistance increases, as a thin film. In our research a YSZ, layer will be produced from a fine dimple grain structure allowing high flow of O₂ mobility. This mobility increases ionic conductivity and decreases ohmic loss. The goal of our research is to determine if the YSZ thin film synthesis lead to minimum ohmic resistance of the films at optimum film thickness. The method that is used is to test different molecular ratios of the YSZ and deposit the ratios with different energy levels onto different substrates, including conductors, semi-conductors, and insulators, and compare the properties of the YSZ layer. The thin films will be characterized through electrical measurements such as 4-Point Probe Resistivity measurements as well as AFM, SEM, and EDX Spectroscopy for the structural and compositional characterization.