Abstract
Ultrafine NiO/YSZ (Yttria Stabilized Zirconia) powders were made by using a glycine nitrate process which is used as anode material for solid oxide fuel cells. The specific surface areas of synthesized NiO/YSZ powders were examined with controlling pH of a precursor solution and the content of glycine. The binding of glycine with metal nitrates occurring in the precursor solution was analyzed by using FTIR. The characteristics of synthesized powders were examined with X-ray diffraction(XRD) Brunauer Emmett Teller with N2 absorption. scanning electron microscopy (SEM). and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Ultrafine NiO/YSZ powders of 15-18 m2/g were obtained through GNP when the content of glycine was controlled to 1 or 2 times the stoichiometric ratio in the precursor solutions. Strongly acid precursor solution increased the specific surface area of the synthesized powders. This is suggested to be the increased binding of metal nitrates and glycine under a strong acid solution of pH=0.5 that lets glycine consist of mainly the amine group of {{{{ { NH}`_{3 } ^{+ } }}. After sintering and reducing treatment of NiO/YSZ powders synthesized by GNP the Ni/YSZ pellet showed ideal microstructure where very fine Ni particles of 3-5 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ were distributed uniformly and fine pore around Ni metal particles was formed. leading to anincrease of the triple phase boundary among gas Ni and YSZ.
