Preparation of LSM-Nano-Film via a Water-Based Impregnation Process and Its Application onto Porous LSCF Cathode

Abstract

The aim of this work is to develop and evaluate a novel composite cathode with prominent stability for the operation of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). A La0.85Sr0.15MnO3 (LSM) nano-film has been successfully prepared onto a porous La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3-δ (LSCF) cathode via a water-based impregnation process, with the help of control system for LSM-film deposition. The quality of LSM-film is found to be influenced much by drying process, especially relative humidity (RH). The LSM-film is used to improve the operational stability of the LSCF cathode through surface treatment. The interfacial polarization resistance of LSCF cathode is reduced by 20% at 750°C after the introduction of LSM thin-film coating. It is found that the polarization behavior of blank LSCF cathode and LSM-film modified LSCF cathode is strikingly different especially under cathodic bias. A stable (even increasing) power output is observed for modified LSCF cathode, by contrast, 8% degradation is observed for blank LSCF cathode for ∼100 h operation of SOFC at 750°C.