Ba0.9Co0.7Fe0.2Nb0.1O3 − δ as cathode material for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells

Ba0.9Co0.7Fe0.2Nb0.1O3 − δ (BCFN) perovskite material was synthesized and evaluated as cathode for La0.8Sr0.2Ga0.83Mg0.17O3 − δ (LSGM) electrolyte supported intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs). X-ray diffraction results showed that BCFN was chemically compatible with the LSGM electrolyte. Maximum power densities of 0.36, 0.57, 0.80 and 1.1 W/cm2 were obtained for LSGM electrolyte supported cells with BCFN as cathode and Ni-GDC as anode operated at 650, 700, 750 and 800 °C, respectively. Further, the cell performance was stable under a constant current of 0.6 A/cm2 for over 204 h at 750 °C.

► Ba0.9Co0.7Fe0.2Nb0.1O3 − δ (BCFN) was synthesized and evaluated as cathode for IT-SOFCs.
► BCFN shows a very low cathode polarization resistance of 0.04 and 0.02 Ωcm2 at 750 and 800 °C.
► Cell power of 0.80 and 1.1 W/cm2was achieved at 750 and 800 °C for LSGM-electrolyte supported cells.
► Using BCFN as cathode, cell performance was stable under 0.6 A/cm2 for over 204 h at 750 °C.