Enhanced Chromium Tolerance of La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3-δ Cathode by BaO Infiltration

Performance degradation of cathodes due to the attack by chromium from Fe-Cr alloy interconnect is a major barrier to develop long-term durable solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). In this presentation, we report the development of a chromium tolerant BaO infiltrated La 0.6 Sr 0.4 Co 0.2 Fe 0.8 O 3-δ (LSCF) cathode. After the test at 800 o C for 100 h in the presence of Fe-Cr interconnect, the electrode polarization resistance ( R E ) of the infiltrated BaO-LSCF electrode increases by 0.05 Ω cm 2 , much smaller than 0.48 Ω cm 2 in the case of the LSCF electrode. The presence of BaO nanoparticles inhibits the formation of SrCrO 4 by forming thermodynamically stable and conducive BaCrO 4 , thus preventing the extraction of Sr at the A-site of LSCF perovskite structure and mitigating the poisoning effect of Cr on the electrocatalytic activity of LSCF. The results have demonstrated a new and effective strategy to develop highly tolerant and resistant cathodes towards the Cr contaminant of SOFCs.