Durable high-performance Sm0.5Sr0.5CoO3–Sm0.2Ce0.8O1.9 core-shell type composite cathodes for low temperature solid oxide fuel cells

Sm0.5Sr0.5CoO3 (SSC)–Sm0.2Ce0.8O1.9 (SDC) core-shell composite cathodes are synthesized via a polymerizable complex method, and the durability of a cell incorporating the cathodes is examined. Nanocrystalline SSC powders have been coated onto the surfaces of SDC cores to enable the formation of a rigid backbone structure, over which the catalyst phase is effectively dispersed. A symmetrical SSC–SDC |SDC| SSC–SDC half-cell exhibits a polarization resistance of 0.098 Ω cm2 at 650 °C. The durability and microstructure of the cathode are investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and thermo-cycle tests at temperatures in the range of 100 °C–650 °C. After 30 cycles, the polarization resistance is found to increase by 9.04 × 10−2 Ω cm2, a 3.56% rise with respect to the initial resistance. Coarsening of the SSC catalyst phase has been prevented with the use of core-shell type powders, as confirmed by a nearly constant low frequency polarization resistance and a microstructural analysis. The performance of a unit cell comprised of the core-shell type cathode exhibits 1.07 W cm−2 at 600 °C and 0.62 W cm−2 at 550 °C.

► Sm0.5Sr0.5CoO3 (SSC)–Sm0.2Ce0.8O1.9 (SDC) core-shell composite cathodes were synthesized.
► Nanocrystalline SSC powders were coated onto the surfaces of SDC cores to enable the formation of a rigid backbone structure.
► Coarsening of the SSC catalyst phase was prevented with the use of core-shell type powders.
► The cell exhibited a performance of 1.07 W cm−2 at 600 °C.