Synthesis and electrochemical performance of La0.6Ca0.4Fe1−xNixO3 (x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3) material for solid oxide fuel cell cathode

Polycrystalline samples of La0.6Ca0.4Fe1−xNixO3 (x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3) (LCFN) are prepared by liquid mix method. The structure of the polycrystalline powders is analyzed with X-ray powder diffraction data. The XRD patterns are indexed as the orthoferrite similar to that of LaFeO3 having a single phase with orthorhombic perovskite structure (Pnma). The morphological characterization is performed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) obtaining a mean particle size less than 300 nm.Polarization resistance is studied using two different electrolytes: Y-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) and Sm-doped ceria (SDC). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements of LCFN/YSZ/LCFN and LCFN/SDC/LCFN test cells are carried out. These electrochemical experiments are performed at equilibrium from 850 °C to room temperature, under both zero dc current intensity and air. The best value of area specific resistance (ASR) obtained is 0.88 Ω cm2, corresponding to the La0.6Ca0.4Fe0.9Ni0.1O3 material using SDC as electrolyte. The dc four-probe measurement indicates that La0.6Ca0.4Fe0.9Ni0.1O3 exhibits fairly high electrical conductivity, over 300 S cm−1 at T > 500 °C.