Timurkutluk B.Dokuyucu S.2019-08-012019-08-0120180272-8842https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2018.06.205https://hdl.handle.net/11480/1598The change in the mechanical and electrochemical performance of tape cast YSZ electrolyte as a function of doctor blade gap is investigated in this study via mechanical, microstructural and electrochemical analyses. Three point bending tests indicate that the flexural strength of the electrolyte can be improved by reducing the doctor blade gap. This can be elucidated by the microstructural observations, which reveal an increased number of small grains and reduced grain size with decreasing the doctor blade height, confirming the sintering shrinkage. The impedance results reveal that the electrical resistance of the electrolyte increases with decreasing the doctor blade gap due to reduced grain size. Similar behavior is also observed in the performance results. Therefore, the doctor blade gap can be considered as a critical parameter for the mechanical and electrochemical performance of tape cast YSZ electrolyte in solid oxide fuel cells, since it significantly affects the electrolyte microstructure. © 2018 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccessDoctor Blade gapElectrochemical performanceFlexural strengthSolid oxide fuel cellTape cast electrolyteArticle4414173991740610.1016/j.ceramint.2018.06.2052-s2.0-85049054882Q1WOS:000442714100161Q1