Solid oxide fuel cell electrolyte and method

Abstract

A method of making a solid oxide fuel cell electrolyte includes preheating a substrate on which an oxide electrolyte layer is to be deposited to a substrate temperature of about 1100° C. and above, impinging a surface of a source comprising the oxide with an electron beam in an evacuated chamber at a pressure of about 10 −3 or less mm of Hg devoid of process gas, such as oxygen, to evaporate the oxide in the chamber, and placing the preheated substrate in the chamber where the oxide deposits on the preheated substrate. The oxide fuel cell electrolyte is deposited having a columnar oxide microstructure.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . An oxide fuel cell electrolyte having a columnar oxide microstructure. 
     
     
         12 . The electrolyte of  claim 11  which is dense enough to provide a gas seal between an anode and cathode of the fuel cell. 
     
     
         13 . A fuel cell comprising an anode, cathode, and an oxide electrolyte between the anode and the cathode and having a microstructure comprising a plurality of oxide columns. 
     
     
         14 . The fuel cell of  claim 13  wherein the columns extend in a direction transverse to facing surfaces of the anode and the cathode.