Electrospinning La0.8Sr0.2Co0.2Fe0.8O3−δ tubes impregnated with Ce0.8Gd0.2O1.9 nanoparticles for an intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cell cathode

•The hollow LSCF cathode materials have been successfully synthesized.•GDC-impregnated LSCF tubes display larger TPB region and higher porosity.•The lowest ASR value of LSCF/GDC cathode is 0.07 Ω cm2 at 650 °C.

In order to reduce the polarization resistance of the cathode, we have developed one-dimensional (1D) nanostructured La0.8Sr0.2Co0.2Fe0.8O3−δ (LSCF) tubes/Ce0.8Gd0.2O1.9 (GDC) nanoparticles composite cathodes for solid oxide fuel cell. Uniform LSCF/PVP composite nanofibers have been firstly synthesized by a single-nozzle electrospinning technique, followed by firing at 800 °C for 2 h to form one-dimensional LSCF tubes. Subsequently, the GDC phases were introduced into tube structured LSCF scaffold pre-sintered on a GDC pellet by a multi-impregnation process. Electrochemical Impedance spectra reveal that nanostructured LSCF tubes/GDC nanoparticles composite cathodes have a better electrochemical performance, achieving area-specific resistances of 4.70, 1.12, 0.27 and 0.07 Ω cm2 at 500, 550, 600 and 650 °C for the composite of GDC and LSCF in a weight ratio of 0.52:1. The low ASR values are mainly related to its optimal microstructure with larger triple-phase boundaries and higher porosity. These results suggest that LSCF tube/GDC nanoparticle composite can be an alternative cathode material for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cell (IT-SOFC).