Glass based sealant for SOFC application

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are used for a wide range of applications including power generation, automobile etc. Planar SOFC configurations appear superior to other form, like tubular based onsuperior power density and efficiency. A major issue in planar SOFCs is the requirement that hermetic sealing must be formed between the solid electrolyte and/or the ceramic anode with the metallic interconnect in order to prevent fuel - oxidant mixing and to provide electrical insulation. The wide range of thermal expansion characteristics and the thermal stability advantages of glass based sealant (or glass-ceramics) are important factors in sealing. To ascertainacceptable lifetime, interfacial reactions and diffusion of both metallic and glass species should be minimized. Glass based sealant capable to form rigid seal between the interconnect and other SOFC parts, which in turn reduce the leak rate within acceptable limit.