Impact of synthesis technique on the structure and electrochemical characteristics of Pr0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3 − δ (PSCF) cathode material

Effect of preparation method for Pr0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3 − δ (PSCF) on its electrochemical performance was investigated. Powder samples were synthesized by hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA) and EDTA–citric acid (EC) techniques, respectively. The particles synthesized by HMTA were smaller than those prepared by EC method as proved by TEM. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy illuminated that more oxygen sites including oxygen vacancy on the surface of HMTA-derived PSCF exist than that of EC-derived PSCF. The area specific resistance (ASR) value of HMTA-derived PSCF cathode was as low as 0.454 Ω cm2 at 600 °C, whereas the ASR value of EC-derived PSCF was 0.641 Ω cm2. The results in the present study demonstrated the advantages of the HMTA method in the synthesis of highly catalytic active PSCF oxide powder for SOFCs.

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► PSCF cathode powders were synthesized by HMTA and EC methods.
► The HMTA–derived PSCF cathode displays smaller particle size and lower ASR.
► HMTA-derived PSCF shows more surface oxygen vacancy tested by XPS.