Novel cobalt-free cathode material (Nd0.9La0.1)2(Ni0.74Cu0.21Al0.05)O4+δ for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells

The Ruddlesden–Popper phase, (Nd0.9La0.1)2(Ni0.74Cu0.21Al0.05)O4+δ (NLNCA), has been investigated as an alternative cathode material for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs). Its electrical conductivity is 51–60 S cm−1 over the temperature range of 650–800 °C. The average thermal-expansion coefficient (TEC) value of NLNCA is 13.2×10−6 K−1. The area specific resistance (ASR) of the NLNCA cathode measured on a Sm0.2Ce0.8O1.9 (SDC) electrolyte reaches a relatively low value of 0.048 Ω cm2 at 800 °C. A maximum power density of 521 mW cm−2 is obtained at 800 °C for single-cell with thickness of ~300 µm SDC electrolyte.