Characterization and electrochemical performances of Ba 2− xSr xFeO 4+ δ as a novel cathode material for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells

Abstract

Novel cathode materials, Ba 2− x Sr x FeO 4+ δ ( x = 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 1.0), for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells on a samaria-doped ceria (SDC) electrolyte were prepared by the glycine–nitrate route and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric (TG) analysis, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and steady-state polarization measurement. SEM results showed that the electrode formed a good contact with the SDC electrolyte after sintering at 1000 °C for 2 h. The value of δ in Ba 1.0Sr 1.0FeO 4+ δ materials was calculated from the TG results. The electrochemical impedance spectra revealed that Ba 2− x Sr x FeO 4+ δ had a better electrochemical performance than that of Ln 2NiO 4 (Ln = La, Pr, Nd, Sm). In the Ba 2− x Sr x FeO 4+ δ ( x = 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 1.0) family, the composition Ba 1.0Sr 1.0FeO 4+ δ exhibited the best electrochemical activity for oxygen reduction. The polarization resistance of Ba 1.0Sr 1.0FeO 4+ δ on SDC electrolyte was 1.11 Ω cm 2 at 700 °C, which was less than half that reported for Ln 2NiO 4 at the same temperature.