Cobalt oxide enhanced lanthanum strontium cobalt ferrite electrode for solid oxide fuel cells

Abstract

A Co3O4 enhanced La0.8Sr0.2Co0.5Fe0.5O3 - δ (LSCF) electrode is developed for use in air electrodes with proton conducting solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). The incipient wetness impregnation method enables Co3O4 nanoparticles on the LSCF surface without altering the bulk porosity of the LSCF electrode. The polarization resistance of LSCF electrodes is significantly reduced by Co3O4 doping, and both charge transfer and diffusion/conversion resistances were positively affected. The highest reduction in charge transfer resistance is obtained at 700 °C, which is increased from 21%to 32%through reduction of po 2. Conversely, the highest reduction in diffusion/conversion resistance is achieved at 550 °C. By increasing po 2, the reduction is increased from 57%to 66%and its activation energy is reduced up to 33 %compared to pure LSCF. The lowest total area specific resistances obtained under air are 1.45 Ω·cm2, 2.95 Ω·cm2, 6.75 Ω·cm2 and 16.45 Ω·cm2 at 700 °C, 650 °C, 600 °C and 550 °C, respectively.