Preparation and electrochemical properties of Sr-doped Nd2NiO4 cathode materials for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells

Cathode materials Nd2 − xSrxNiO4 were prepared by the glycine-nitrate process and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), AC impendence spectroscopy and DC polarization method, respectively. The results show that no reaction occurred between the electrode and the CGO electrolyte at 1100 °C and the electrode formed good contact with the electrolyte after being sintered at 1000 °C for 4 h. The rate-limiting step for oxygen reduction reaction on Nd1.6Sr0.4NiO4 electrode changed with oxygen partial pressure and measurement temperature. The Nd1.6Sr0.4NiO4 electrode gave a polarization resistance of 0.93 Ω cm2 at 700 °C in air, which indicates that Nd2 − xSrxNiO4 electrode is a promising cathode material for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cell (IT-SOFC).