Decreased sintering temperature of anode-supported solid oxide fuel cells with La-doped CeO2 and Sr- and Mg-doped LaGaO3 films by Co addition

• Improved densification and electrical conductivity of LDC by Co addition.
• Decreased sintering temperature of LSGM electrolyte film by using Co–LDC buffer layer.
• At 973 K, 1 W cm−2 in a single cell with Co–LDC and LSGM films sintered at 1523 K.
• Stable performance of a single cell using Co–LDC buffer layer for 92 h at 973 K.

Effects of decrease in sintering temperature (1473–1623 K) on the electrochemical performance of anode-supported solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) were investigated using Sr- and Mg-doped LaGaO3 (LSGM) electrolyte film while using La-doped CeO2 with Co addition (Co–LDC) as the buffer layer. The sintering temperature of the single cell was reduced to 1523 K by the use of Co–LDC buffer layer. The cell showed maximum power density (MPD) of ∼1 W cm−2 and an open circuit voltage (OCV) close to the theoretical value at 973 K, which was comparable with previous results for cells prepared by sintering at 1673 K. The cell performance was further improved with increasing the sintering temperature because of the reduced internal resistances, and it was stable after operation for 92 h at 973 K, suggesting that the Co–LDC buffer layer posed no detrimental effect. Thus, Co–LDC is a promising buffer layer for LSGM electrolyte film prepared by wet coating and cosintering processes to improve the performance of anode-supported SOFCs.