Preparation and Performance of a La0.6Sr0.4CoxFe1−xO3 Cathode for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

In this study, a potential cathode material, La0.6Sr0.4CoxFe1−xO3 (LSCF), for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) is synthesized via a citric acid-assisted combustion method. The electrolyte-supported solid oxide fuel cell is formed in a conventional way to estimate the cell performance. Results show that the as-prepared powders have a pure perovskite structure after calcination at 1050°C, and the initial powders have a fluffy and spongy mass with a porous structure. The cell performance is affected by the LSCF powder morphology and calcination temperature. The peak power density of the Y2O3-stabilized ZrO2 (YSZ) electrolyte-supported single cell using LSCF as cathode is 28 mW cm−2 at 800°C, while the smallest area-specific resistance obtained is 19 Ω cm2. This suggests that La0.6Sr0.4CoxFe1−xO3 is a promising potential cathode material for SOFCs.