Cobalt-free perovskite Ba0.5Sr0.5Fe0.9Nb0.1O3−δ as a cathode material for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells

► The electrical conductivity of BSFN reaches the value of 14.1 S cm−1 at 450 °C. ► The area specific resistance of the BSFN cathode is as low as 0.082 Ω cm2 at 700 °C. ► A maximum power density of 745 mW cm−2 is obtained at 700 °C for the BSFN cathode. ► BSFN is a very promising cobalt-free cathode material for ITSOFCs.