Properties and performance of Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3−δ + Sm0.2Ce0.8O1.9 composite cathode

The properties and performance of Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3−δ (BSCF) + Sm0.2Ce0.8O1.9 (SDC) (70:30 in weight ratio) composite cathode for intermediate-temperature solid-oxide fuel cells were investigated. Mechanical mixing of BSCF with SDC resulted in the adhesion of fine SDC particles to the surface of coarse BSCF grains. XRD, SEM-EDX and O2-TPD results demonstrated that the phase reaction between BSCF and SDC was negligible, constricted only at the BSCF and SDC interface, and throughout the entire cathode with the formation of new (Ba,Sr,Sm,Ce)(Co,Fe)O3−δ perovskite phase at a firing temperature of 900, 1000, and ≥ 1050 °C, respectively. The BSCF + SDC electrode sintered at 1000 °C showed an area specific resistance of ~0.064 Ω cm2 at 600 °C, which is a slight improvement over the BSCF (0.099 Ω cm2) owing to the enlarged cathode surface area contributed from the fine SDC particles. A peak power density of 1050 and ~382 mW cm−2 was reached at 600 and 500 °C, respectively, for a thin-film electrolyte cell with the BSCF + SDC cathode fired from 1000 °C.