Investigation on Pr2 − xSrxNiO4 + δ (x = 0.3–1.0) cathode materials for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cell

Solid solutions Pr2 − xSrxNiO4 + δ (x = 0.5, 0.7, 0.9 and 1.0) are synthesized by microwave combustion yield crystallite size in the range 85–100 nm. The Pr2 − xSrxNiO4 + δ solid solutions are of tetragonal structure in a single-phase across the compositional range under study. The maximum d.c. conductivity σ = 0.39 S cm− 1, at 700 °C, is obtained at a composition corresponding to x = 0.7, represented by the chemical formula Pr1.3Sr0.7NiO4 + δ. Symmetric cells in the configuration given by -electrode/electrolyte/electrode-, with Pr1.3Sr0.7NiO4 + δ as the electrodes, were fabricated by spin coating. The minimum area specific resistance (ASR) value of 0.39 Ω cm2 was obtained at a temperature of 700 °C for the solid solution corresponding to x = 0.7 and directly correlated with the maximum in d.c. conductivity.