Increasing the Electrochemical Activity of the Pr1.95La0.05CuO4 Cathode by Laser Modification of the Electrode/Electrolyte Interface Profile

Abstract The influence of the Ce0.9Gd0.1O1.95 solid electrolyte surface topology formed by laser processing on the electrochemical activity of the Pr1.95La0.05CuO4 cathode material in oxygen reduction reaction is studied. The ordered columnar structure of Ce0.9Gd0.1O1.95 with a depth of the relief profile of ~11–12 µm is shown to be the most preferable with respect to the achieving of higher electrochemical activity. A twofold decrease in the polarization resistance of the Pr1.95La0.05CuO4 cathode material from 0.87 Ω cm2 (the initial sample) to 0.40 Ω cm2 (the modified Ce0.9Gd0.1O1.95 surface) at a temperature of 700°C in air was observed upon the transition from the Ce0.9Gd0.1O1.95 solid electrolyte initial surface to the modified one. Based on the data obtained, the application of the laser processing for the formation of a preset topology of the electrode/electrolyte interface can be considered as an effective technological approach that allows increasing the electrochemical performance of solid oxide fuel cells.