Metal oxide nanocomposites as anode and cathode for low temperature solid oxide fuel cell

Abstract

The high operating temperature for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) is one of the major obstacles in the advancement and marketing of the fuel cell technology. Mixed metal oxides Cu0.5Sr0.5 (CS) and La0.2 doped Cu0.4Sr0.4 (LCS) nanocomposites, fabricated through a mild and cost effective pechini method were used as an efficient remedy in this context. The nanocomposites were evaluated for phase purity and structural analysis through X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Particle size calculated was ~37.21 nm (for CS) and 62.43 nm (for LCS) via XRD, while SEM revealed the size ranged from (43–72) nm. Performance of the symmetrical triple layered cells was tested in the temperature range of 500–600 °C with H2 fuel. LCS nanocomposites exhibited higher electrical conductivity ~4.70 S/cm and greater power density ~782 mW/cm2 as compared to CS nanocomposites for which the electrical conductivity and power density were achieved as 4.40 S/cm and 725 mW/cm2 respectively. The activation energy for CS and LCS were found to be 0.23 and 0.26eV respectively. The reliable and enhanced power densities make the synthesized nanocomposites as potential candidates for low temperature SOFCs as anode and cathode.