Enhanced electrochemical performance of LSCF cathode through selection of optimum fabrication parameters

Abstract

The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of three key fabrication parameters (thickness, solid content, and sintering temperature) on the performance of La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3-δ (LSCF) cathode. Single-phase, high specific surface area of 12.2 m2/g and nano-sized LSCF cathode powder was synthesized by microwave-assisted glycine-nitrate process (GNP). The as-prepared powder was characterized by X-ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption, and high-resolution electron microscopy techniques. A terpineol-based ink vehicle was used to prepare the LSCF cathode ink for screen printing. The effects of thickness, LSCF solid content, and sintering temperature on morphological and electrochemical characteristics were systematically investigated using scanning electron microscopy and impedance spectroscopy. The thickness, solid content, and sintering temperature are essential in determining the polarization resistance of mixed ionic electronic conducting (MIEC) LSCF cathode material. The cathode polarization resistance of LSCF is 0.272, 0.116, 0.063, 0.039, and 0.029 Ω cm2 at 600, 650, 700, 750, and 800 °C under the optimal preparation parameters, respectively. The preferred sintering temperature for LSCF cathode prepared through microwave-assisted GNP was 1100 °C for 2 h.