Electrochemical performance of nanostructured La_(0.6)Sr_(0.4)CoO_(3-δ) and Sm_(0.5)Sr_(0.5)CoO_(3-δ) cathodes for IT-SOFCs

摘要

The electrochemical performance of nanostructured cathodes for IT-SOFCs based on perovskite-type mixed ionic/electronic conductors (MIECs) is investigated. Different compounds (La_(0.6)Sr_(0.4)CoO_(3-δ) and Sm_(0.5)Sr_(0.5)CoO_(3-δ)) and synthesis methods (freeze-drying and citrate complexation) were evaluated. These materials exhibited excellent performance (area-specific resistance values in the range of 0.05-0.20 Ω cm~-2 for an operating temperature of 700 C), which improved with decreasing grain size. This performance can be attributed to the high specific surface area of these nanostructured cathodes, thus dramatically increasing the number of active sites for the oxygen reduction reaction. Under these conditions, the electrochemical properties are mainly controlled by oxide ion diffusion through the MIEC cathode, which becomes faster with decreasing grain size.