SrCo0.9Sb0.1O3-δ cubic perovskite as a novel cathode for intermediate-to-low temperature solid oxide fuel cells

Abstract

The SrCo0.9Sb0.1O3-δ (SCS) composite oxide with cubic perovskite structure was synthesized by a modified Pechini method and examined as a novel cathode for intermediate-to-low temperature solid oxide fuel cells (ILT-SOFCs). At 700 °C and under open-circuit condition, symmetrical SCS cathode on Sm0.2Ce0.8O1.9 (SDC) electrolyte showed low polarization resistances (Rp) of 0.09 Ω cm2 in air. A porous layer of SCS was deposited on an anode-supported fuel cell consisting of a ∼30-μm thick dense electrolyte of SDC prepared by a cost-effective dip coating process and a NiO-SDC cermet as an anode (Ni-SDC/SDC/SCS). The obtained single cells were tested with humidified (∼3% H2O) hydrogen as fuel and the static air as oxidant. A high open-circuit potential of 0.86 V, a maximum power density of 354 mW cm-2, and a low polarization resistance of the electrodes of 0.13 Ω cm2 was achieved at 650 °C. © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.