Synthesis and electrochemical properties of LSM and LSF perovskites as anode materials for high temperature steam electrolysis

La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 (LSM) and La0.8Sr0.2FeO3 (LSF) perovskites used as the anode materials for high temperature steam electrolysis (HTSE) were synthesized by sol–gel self-propagating method. These two powders were mixed with yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) powders, respectively to fabricate composite anodes of solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs). The LSM–YSZ and LSF–YSZ composite anodes were tested at 1073 K SOEC working temperature under electrolysis conditions, using cells with a YSZ electrolyte and a Pt counter electrode. Their electrochemical performances were compared and the possibilities of using as SOEC anodes were discussed.