Composite cathode design for intermediate-temperature SOFCs: Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3−δ-Ce0.8Gd0.2O2−δ thermal compatibility
摘要
The Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3−δ (BSCF) and Ce0.8Gd0.2O2−δ (GDC) ceramics were synthesized by sol-gel method and their composites (100-x)BSCF-xGDC, where x = 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 wt% were prepared. The XRD patterns showed the cubic perovskite (BSCF) and cubic fluorite (GDC) phases. The microstructures disclosed the porous morphology and the interconnection between BSCF and GDC. In this study, the BSCF/GDC ratio was optimized for minimizing the polarization resistance (Rp). The thermal expansion studies revealed that the addition of GDC to BSCF reduced thermal expansion coefficient (TEC). Furthermore the 50BSCF–50GDC composite exhibited the lowest thermal expansion coefficient (TEC), whereas the 70BSCF–30GDC composition showed the lowest polarization resistance (Rp = 0.06 Ω·cm² at 700 °C), indicating optimal electrochemical performance. The conductivity studies indicate that GDC inclusion to BSCF reduced Rp thereby improving oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) for composites. The test button cell with 70BSCF-30GDC exhibited the maximum power density of 0.62 W/cm2and current density of 0.7 A/cm2at 800 °C under H2/O2 atmosphere.