Perovskite and A2MO4-type oxides as new cathode materials for protonic solid oxide fuel cells

Solid state ionic devices based on high-temperature proton conductors can be used for various applications, especially in a new class of fuel cells, the Protonic Ceramic Fuel Cell (SOFC-H+). These systems are currently operating at intermediate temperatures (500–600 °C) and one of the major problems is the overpotential at the cathode side. In this context, various perovskite oxides AMO3 − δ (A = La, Ba, Sr; M = Mn; Fe, Co, Ni) and A2MO4-type compounds (A = La, Nd, Pr or Sr; M = Ni) have been investigated. Their properties under moist cathodic atmosphere have been studied. Actually, they are stable and exhibit high electrical conductivity (σ > 100 S cm−1) as well as good electrocatalytic properties towards oxygen reduction.The electrochemical properties of these oxides deposited on the protonic electrolyte BaCe0.9Y0.1O3 − δ have been studied and the Area Specific Resistances have been measured under air/H2O (3%) atmosphere. The obtained values at 600 °C, especially for Ba0.5Sr0.5Fe0.8Co0.2O3 − δ and Pr2NiO4 + δ show to be promising cathode materials for Protonic Ceramic Fuel Cell applications.