Silver-perovskite composite SOFC cathodes processed via mechanofusion

Atomized silver spheres (≈20–50 μm diameter) were coated with 1 μm thick layers of (La0.6Sr0.4)0.98Co0.2Fe0.8O3 or Sm0.5Sr0.5CoO3 via a mechanofusion dry processing method. The materials were subsequently assessed as solid oxide fuel cell cathodes on anode-supported YSZ electrolytes at 650–750 °C. The materials were subject to significant electrochemical conditioning during initial cell operation, and factors, such as temperature and operating voltage, affecting the conditioning rate are discussed. Post-conditioned power densities (at 0.7 V) were typically 550–650, 400–450 and 300–350 mW cm−2 at 750, 700 and 650 °C, respectively. Though power degradation rates of ≈7.5 and 4.5% (per 1000 h) were observed at 750 and 700 °C, respectively, no degradation was detected over almost 2000 h of testing at 650 °C.