Electrode properties of Sr doped La2CuO4 as new cathode material for intermediate-temperature SOFCs

High performance La2−xSrxCuO4−δ (x = 0.1, 0.3, 0.5) cathode materials for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cell (IT-SOFCs) were prepared and characterized. The investigation of electrical properties indicated that La1.7Sr0.3CuO4 cathode has low area specific resistance (ASR) of 0.16 Ω cm2 at 700 °C and 1.2 Ω cm2 at 500 °C in air. The rate-limiting step for oxygen reduction reaction on La1.7Sr0.3CuO4 electrode changed with oxygen partial pressure and measurement temperature. La1.7Sr0.3CuO4 cathode exhibits the lowest overpotential of about 100 mV at a current density of 150 mA cm−2 at 700 °C in air.