Characterization of Lanthanum Zirconate Formation at the A-Site-Deficient Strontium-Doped Lanthanum Manganite Cathode/Yttrium-Stabilized Zirconia Electrolyte Interface of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

• Published in: Journal of the American Ceramic Society 2008-08, Vol.91 (8), p.2670-2675
• Main Authors: Chen, Aijie, Bourne, Gerald, Siebein, Kerry, DeHoff, Robert, Wachsman, Eric, Jones, Kevin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Building materials. Ceramics. Glasses; Ceramic industries; Ceramics; Chemical industry and chemicals; Electrolytes; Electrotechnical and electronic ceramics; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Exact sciences and technology; Fuel cells; Ion beams; Kinetics; Lanthanum; Manganites; Solid oxide fuel cells; Studies; Technical ceramics; Transmission electron microscopy; Yttria stabilized zirconia; Zirconates; Zirconium dioxide
• ISSN: 0002-7820; 1551-2916
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1551-2916.2008.02524.x

Lanthanum zirconate (LZO) formation and growth kinetics between 1273–1673 K at the A‐site (La, Sr)‐deficient Sr‐doped lanthanum manganite (LSM)/yttrium‐stabilized zirconia (YSZ) interface were studied using high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy–energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectrometry (HRTEM–EDS). A cross‐section TEM sample preparation technique was developed using a dual‐beam focused ion beam and an in situ Omniprobe manipulator. The LZO pyrochlore phase was identified at the LSM/YSZ interface by TEM. The LZO is epitaxial with respect to the YSZ phase but not to the LSM phase. EDS results coupled with structural analysis suggest that La diffusion is a critical step in LZO formation. This study shows that LZO formation can occur even for A‐site‐deficient LSM with a La composition of 78 mol% (