Characterization of Cu, Ag and Pt added La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3−δ and gadolinia-doped ceria as solid oxide fuel cell electrodes by temperature-programmed techniques

Cu, Ag and Pt added La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3−δ (LSCF) and gadolinia-doped ceria (GDC) were analyzed by the temperature-programmed techniques for their characteristics as either the cathode or the anode of the solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). Temperature-programmed oxidation using CO2 was used to characterize the cathode materials while temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) using H2 and TPR using CO were used to characterize the anode materials. These techniques can offer an easy screening of the materials as the SOFC electrodes. The effects of adding Cu, Ag and Pt to LSCF for the cathodic reduction activity and the anodic oxidation activity are different—Cu > Ag > Pt for reduction and Pt > Cu > Ag for oxidation. The CO oxidation activities are higher than the H2 oxidation activities. Adding GDC to LSCF can increase both reduction and oxidation activities. The LSCF–GDC composite has a maximum activity for either reduction or oxidation when LSCF/GDC is 2 in weight.