Preparation of La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3 nanoceramic cathode powders for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) application

The La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3 (LSCF) nanoceramic powders were prepared by sol–gel process using nitrate based chemicals for SOFC applications since these powders are considered as more promising cathode materials for SOFC. The citric acid was used as a chelating agent and ethylene glycol as a dispersant. The powders were calcined at 650 °C/6 h, 900 °C/3 h and 1150 °C/2 h in air using Thermolyne 47900 furnace. These powders were characterized by employing SEM/EDS, XRD, porosimetry and TGA/DTA techniques.The SEM images indicate that the particle sizes of the LSCF powders are in the range of 50–200 nm. The LSCF perovskite phases are seen from the XRD patterns. From XRD Line broadening technique, the average particle size of the powders before and after calcination was found to be around 15 and 22.5 nm respectively. Porosimetry analysis depicts that the surface area the LSCF powders was decreased from 26 to 3 m2/g with increasing calcination temperatures up to 1150 °C. TGA plot shows that there is no weight loss after the temperature 500 °C indicating completion of combustion.