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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 17 February 2011
Colloidal crystal templating has been used to prepare three-dimensionally ordered macroporous (3DOM) films of La1-xSrxMnO3-d (LSM), yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) and porous composites of LSM and YSZ. These materials have direct applications as cathodes in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). The 3DOM materials have been prepared by low temperature processing, which is a major step towards overcoming electrode sintering, interdiffusion and deleterious phase formation associated with conventional high temperature processing. The preparation of porous composites and the elimination of high temperature densification presents an opportunity to create SOFCs with a large number of triple phase boundaries which should be accompanied by an corresponding improvement in device performance. The microstructure of the 3DOM films was assessed using scanning electron microscopy and the crystal structure and phase purity assessed by x-ray diffraction.