Electrical and mechanical properties of CeO$_2$-based thin-film coatings obtained by electrophoretic deposition

Nanometer Ce$_{0.8}$(Sm$_{0.75}$Sr$_{0.2}$Ba$_{0.05}$)$_{0.2}$O$_{2-\delta}$ powder with mean nanoparticle size of 15 nm has been obtained by laser evaporation of a solid-phase target followed by condensation. The nanopowder has been used to prepare suspensions for electrophoretic deposition in a mixed isopropanol : acetyl acetone = 50:50 vol % disperse medium offering the unique property of self-stabilization. Optimal conditions for electrophoretic deposition have been found, and uniform thin-film electrolytic coatings have been formed on a La$_2$NiO$_4$ cathodic carrier substrate (12–15% porosity). It has been shown that the resulting electrolyte offers a high adhesivity and has, after sintering at 1400$^{\circ}$C, a compact granular structure with grains from 1 to 8 $\mu$m in size. The conductivity of the 2-$\mu$m-thick electrolyte equals 0.1 S/cm at 650$^{\circ}$C.