Microstructural characterization and electrochemical properties of Nd0.5Sr0.5Co0.5Mn0.5O3-δ as a novel cathode for SOFCs

Abstract

The microstructure and electrochemical properties of a novel cathode Nd0.5Sr0.5Co0.5Mn0.5O3-δ were discussed in the paper. After calcination at 1000 °C, a perfect single crystal was obtained. Some diffraction streaks along [200] and [112] patterns in HR-TEM appeared for the ordering of oxygen vacancies, or as the overlap of B-site cations (Co2+/Co3+ and Mn2+/Mn3+) with stacking fault-derived scattering of ordering. Area-specific resistance (ASR) was 0.023 Ω · cm2 when Nd0.5Sr0.5Co0.5Mn0.5O3-δ was deposited on the electrolyte as the electrode at 700 °C in air. The maximum power density and the maximum OCV were 592.80 mW·cm−2 at 650 °C and 0.89 V at 550 °C for a single cell, respectively. Hence, the material Nd0.5Sr0.5Co0.5Mn0.5O3-δ could be considered as an air-electrode in Intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFC).