Highly active YSB infiltrated LSCF cathode for proton conducting solid oxide fuel cells

•The YSB infiltrated LSCF electrode was prepared for proton conducting SOFCs.•The improved electro–catalytic activity by YSB loading was obtained.•The peak power density with YSB infiltrated LSCF cathode was 167 mW cm−2 at 550 °C.

An oxygen ion conductor, Y0.25Bi0.75O1.5 (YSB), infiltrated La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3−δ (LSCF) is prepared as the electrode of proton conducting solid oxide fuel cells (H–SOFCs). The YSB is deposited onto LSCF surface by infiltration way at 600 °C with a good chemical compatibility. The electrochemical performance of YSB infiltrated LSCF electrode is evaluated regarding the infiltration process. When the loading of YSB increases, the interfacial polarization resistance (RP) of the symmetric cell decreases gradually and then increases. The results of symmetric cell and single cell test indicate that the electrochemical activity of YSB infiltrated LSCF cathode is higher than that using traditional mixed SSC-SDC cathode. The encouraging results open a promising strategy to develop cathode materials for H–SOFCs at low temperature.