Electrochemical performances of NdBa 0.5Sr 0.5Co 2O 5+ x as potential cathode material for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells

Abstract

Layered perovskite oxide NdBa 0.5Sr 0.5Co 2O 5+ x is investigated as a cathode material for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells. The NBSC cathode is chemically compatible with the electrolyte La 0.9Sr 0.1Ga 0.8Mg 0.2O 3− δ (LSGM) at temperatures below 1000 °C. It is metallic in nature and the maximum and minimum conductivities are 1368 S cm −1 at 100 °C and 389 S cm −1 at 850 °C. The area specific resistance (ASR) value for the NBSC cathode is as low as 0.023 Ω cm 2 at 850 °C. The electrolyte-supported fuel cell generates good performance with the maximum power density of 904, 774 and 556 mW cm −2 at 850, 800 and 750 °C, respectively. Preliminary results indicate that NBSC is promising as a cathode for IT-SOFCs.