A Comparison of Electrochemical Performance of Double Perovskite REBaCo2O5+x Cathodes in Symmetrical Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Abstract

AbstractThe segregated vacancies in the A site-ordered oxygen-deficient double perovskites REBaCo2O5+x (RE = La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu) (RBCO) are thought to greatly enhance the diffusivity of oxide ions in the bulk of these materials and possibly supply surface defect sites with enhanced reactivity towards molecular oxygen. Some materials in this family of REBaCo2O5+x compounds, such as PrBaCo2O5+x, (PBCO), have already demonstrated high electronic conductivity, rapid oxygen ion diffusion and surface exchange kinetics. Therefore, the family of REBaCo2O5+x compounds were synthesized and evaluated as cathode materials for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) based on gadolinium doped ceria (CGO) electrolytes. The electrochemical performance of symmetrical cells (REBaCo2O5+x + CGO composite cathodes on the CGO electrolytes) was evaluated by using AC impedance spectroscopy. The area specific resistance (ASR) performance was measured as a function of temperature as well as oxygen partial pressure.