Impregnated LaCo0.3Fe0.67Pd0.03O3-δ as a promising electrocatalyst for “symmetrical” intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells

• LaCo0.3Fe0.67Pd0.03O3-δ is developed as electrode material for symmetrical SOFC.
• Pd-doping remarkably enhances the catalytic activity of LaCo0.3Fe0.7O3-δ material.
• A low area specific resistance of 0.23 Ω cm2 was achieved at 600 °C for LCFPd.
• Peak power density of 535 mW cm−2 for LCFPd as both electrodes at 750 °C.

The higher cost of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) compared with the cost of conventional energy conversion devices has greatly hindered their wide application. The symmetrical SOFCs that use identical material as both cathode and anode can greatly reduce the fabrication cost. The key point for the development of symmetrical SOFCs is to find a promising electrode catalyst. Herein, we report a LaCo0.3Fe0.67Pd0.03O3-δ (LCFPd) material with superior catalytic activity under both oxidizing and reducing atmospheres due to the slight Pd-doping. An LCFPd-infiltrated Sm0.2Ce0.8O1.9 (SDC) electrode possesses competitive oxygen reduction activity compared with a Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3-δ (BSCF) cathode and exhibits even better fuel oxidation activity than the state-of-the-art Ni-SDC composite anode. In addition, the superiority of LCFPd is demonstrated through the high and stable power outputs that can be obtained from a symmetrical SOFC with an LCFPd-based electrode as both cathode and anode.