Development of high-performance cathodes for IT-SOFCs through beneficial interfacial reactions

• Published in: Electrochemistry communications 2009-11, Vol.11 (11), p.2216-2219
• Main Authors: Zhou, Yunbo, An, Baoming, Guo, Youmin, Ran, Ran, Shao, Zongping
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Cathode; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Exact sciences and technology; Fuel cells; Interfacial reaction; Solid-oxide fuel cells; SrCoO x
• ISSN: 1388-2481; 1873-1902
• DOI: 10.1016/j.elecom.2009.09.034

We propose a new way to develop high-performance cathodes for IT-SOFCs by utilizing the interfacial reactions. SrCoO x was selected as the starting electrode material, which took a vacancy-ordered 2H BaNiO 3-type structure and showed negligible ionic conductivity and low electrical conductivity. Phase reactions between SrCoO x and Sm 0.2Ce 0.8O 1.9 happened at 900 °C or higher, resulting in the incorporation of Sm and Ce into its lattice structure. This promoted the phase transition to a cubic perovskite and led to substantial increase in the electrical conductivity and oxygen mobility of the electrode. By utilizing such phase reactions, the SrCoO x + Sm 0.2Ce 0.8O 1.9 composite was developed into a high performance electrode with a low area specific resistance of 0.08 Ω cm −2 at 650 °C. An anode-supported cell with such electrode delivered a peak power density of 795 mW cm −2 at 600 °C.