A New Active and Durable Cathode Enables an SOFC to Operate at Lower Temperature

Abstract

A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is a device that converts the chemical energy in fuel to the electrical energy directly, efficiently and eco-friendly. Recently, cation ordered perovskite-related oxides, Sr doped LnBaCo2O5+δ (Ln = Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd), are known as promising cathode materials for lower-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (LT-SOFCs) because of their superior electrochemical and electrical properties under cathodic conditions. The electrical conductivities of Sr doped LnBaCo2O5+δ are about 1000~3000 Scm-1 at operating temperature. The area specific resistance (ASR) for the Sr doped LnBaCo2O5+δ cathode composite with (GDC) electrolyte are as low as ~0.4 Ωcm2 at 500o C, maximum power densities show ~1.5 W/cm2 at 600oC, and long term durability withNi-GDC anode support cell. These compounds show the best cell performance by now.