PrBa0.5Sr0.5Co2O5+δ layered perovskite cathode for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells

Layered perovskite oxides have ordered A-cations localizing oxygen vacancies, and may potentially improve oxygen ion diffusivity and surface exchange coefficient. The A-site-ordered layered perovskite PrBa0.5Sr0.5Co2O5+δ (PBSC) was evaluated as new cathode material for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs). The material was characterized using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in a symmetrical cell system (PBSC/Ce0.9Sm0.1O1.9 (SDC)/PBSC), exhibiting excellent performance in the intermediate temperature range of 500–700 °C. An area-specific-resistance (ASR) of 0.23 Ω cm2 was achieved at 650 °C for cathode polarization. The low activation energy (Ea) 124 kJ mol−1 is comparable to that of La0.8Sr0.2CoO3−δ. A laboratory-scaled SDC-based tri-layer cell of Ni-SDC/SDC/PBSC was tested in intermediate temperature conditions of 550 to 700 °C. A maximum power density of 1045 mW cm−2 was achieved at 700 °C. The interfacial polarization resistance is as low as 0.285, 0.145, 0.09 and 0.05 Ω cm2 at 550, 600, 650 and 700 °C, respectively. Layered perovskite PBSC shows promising performance as cathode material for IT-SOFCs.