Electrochemical Performance of NiCo2O4 Spinel Cathodes for Intermediate Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Abstract

It is a great challenge to develop the highly efficient cathode material for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) at intermediate temperature, while high electronic conductivity, good thermal and chemical compatibility, and superior electrochemical performance of the AB2O4‐type spinel is attractive electrode material. Herein, the NiCo2O4 spinel is developed using the glycine‐nitrate process (GNP) method as a cathode material for IT SOFCs. The characterization of the phase structure, microstructure, and electrochemical performance are done using X‐ray diffraction, scanning electronic microscopy, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results show that NiCo2O4 exhibited a single cubic structure and good chemical compatibility with a ((Sc2O3)0.1(CeO2)0.01(ZrO2)0.89) (ScCeSZ) electrolyte material at 900 °C for 10 h. Furthermore, a NiO–YSZ anode |NiO–YSZ, AFL | ScCeSZ |NiCo2O4 SOFC cell exhibits the maximum power density (MDP) of 0.73 and 1.04 W cm−2 at 750 and 800 °C, respectively. These results recommend the spinel‐structured NiCo2O4 is a potential cathode material for IT SOFC application.