In this study, we introduce a novel flash light sintering (FLS) method to address the issue of secondary phase formation in conventional high-temperature thermal sintering processes. The microstructure and cross section of the Lanthanum strontium cobalt (LSC) air electrode were analyzed using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The presence of secondary phases was evaluated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) in SEM. Electrochemical performance was assessed using NiO-YSZ anode-supported LSC cathode cells at 750oC. The maximum power density of the thermally sintered LSC cathode at 900oC was 272.4 mW/cm², while the flash light sintered LSC cathode by 18.5 J/cm² achieved 2,222 mW/cm². These results demonstrate that the flash light sintering process can effectively prevent secondary phase formation and successfully sinter the electrode, thereby enhancing the performance and reliability of SOFCs.

In this study, to improve the performance of a solid oxide fuel cell based on a porous metal support, a fuel cell using a multi-layered anode functional layer was fabricated and electrochemical performance analysis was performed. Surface and cross-sectional microstructures according to particle size control were confirmed through FE-SEM. The pore size of the multi-layer anode functional layer was gradually reduced compared to that of a single-structure anode functional layer. As a result, it was confirmed that the surface roughness was lower than that of the single structure. This led to a reduction in polarization resistance through smooth transmission of gas generated from the electrode. As a result, it was confirmed that electrochemical performance was improved by more than 1.25 times in fuel cells using a multi-layered anode functional layer compared to that with a single structure.