Influence of CO2 on Ba0.2Sr0.8Co0.8Fe0.2O3−δ at elevated temperatures

A potential high-performance solid oxide fuel cell cathode material, Ba0.2Sr0.8Co0.8Fe0.2O3−δ, was synthesized by a solid-state reaction method. As atmospheric CO2 may degrade its cathodic performance, the reaction of this material to different gas atmospheres was measured by thermogravimetric analysis. Powder particles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and electron energy-loss spectroscopy, and the formation of a carbonate layer was found.