La0.9−xCaxCe0.1CrO3−δ as potential anode materials for solid oxide fuel cells

LaCrO3 doped with calcium and cerium on the A-site in the series of La0.9−xCaxCe0.1CrO3−δ (LCCC3060, LCCC4050, LCCC5040, LCCC6030 corresponding to x = 0.6, 0.5, 0.4, and 0.3 respectively), is synthesized by a sol–gel combustion method and evaluated as anode material for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). Relatively higher Ca-doping on La in LaCrO3 is found to improve both electronic and ionic conductivity. LCCC compositions have demonstrated good chemical stability in reducing atmospheres. Evaluation of the LCCC material as anode in symmetrical cell configuration shows that the highest Ca-doping composition results in the lowest activation energy and the lowest polarization resistance. La0.8Sr0.2Ga0.83Mg0.17O3−δ (LSGM) electrolyte-supported single cells with LCCC3060 as the anode and La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3−δ (LSCF) as the cathode show that LCCC3060 can be a potential anode material for H2, but not for CH4.

► Higher Ca-doped LaCrO3-based materials are stable in reducing atmospheres.
► XPS analysis shows that higher Ca-doping creates more oxygen vacancies.
► Higher Ca-doping can improve both oxygen ionic and electronic conductivities.
► 60% Ca-doping composition can be a potential anode material for SOFCs with H2 fuels.