Developing high-performance oxygen electrodes for intermediate solid oxide cells (SOC) prepared by Ce_0.8Gd_0.2O_2−δ backbone infiltration

Gd_0.2Ce_0.8O _2−δ (GDC) porous backbone infiltration with La_0.6Sr_0.4CoO_3−δ (LSC), PrOx and LSC: PrOx as a composite oxygen electrode for intermediate solid oxide cells are conducted within the scope of this work. Samples were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). A uniform distribution of the infiltrated material inside the backbone and at the electrolyte-backbone interface was achieved. EIS measurements on the prepared symmetrical samples showed electrode polarization resistance (R_p) values of 0.029 Ω.cm², 0.23 Ω.cm², and 0.44 Ω.cm² for LSC, LSC: PrOx, and PrOx at 600 °C, respectively. Long-term stability measurements at 600 °C for 100 h showed a slight increase in polarization resistance during the measurement period. Fuel cell measurements of commercial cells (Elcogen) with porous oxygen electrode consisting of GDC infiltrated with LSC showed an increase in power density compared to the reference cell with a value of 0.53 W.cm^− 2 obtained at 600 °C. It is proven that infiltration via polymeric precursor into porous scaffolds as backbone oxygen electrode layer is effective and convenient method to develop high performance and stable solid oxide cells.