Electrochemical stability of La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3−δ-infiltrated YSZ oxygen electrode for reversible solid oxide fuel cells

La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3−δ (LSCF)-YSZ (yttria stabilized zirconia) oxygen electrodes were developed by an infiltration process for reversible solid oxide fuel cells (RSOFCs). Electrochemical performance of the LSCF-YSZ composite oxygen electrode was investigated in both fuel cell and steam electrolysis modes. Galvanostatic polarization operated at ±600 mA cm−2 and 750 °C showed that the cell has a voltage degradation rate of 3.4% and 4.9% for fuel cell mode and steam electrolysis mode, respectively. Post-test SEM (scanning electronic microscopy) analysis of the electrodes indicates that the agglomeration of infiltrated LSCF particles is possibly responsible for the performance degradation of the cell.