A new family of Ce-doped SmFeO3 perovskite for application in symmetrical solid oxide fuel cells

•Sm0.95Ce0.05FeO3−δ has a good stability in reducing atmosphere.•SCFO exhibits an n-type behavior in low oxygen partial pressure.•Rp value of SCFO electrode was 0.08 Ω cm2 in 5% H2/N2 at 800 °C.•Power density of SCFO|YSZ|SCFO symmetrical cell is 130 mW cm−2 at 800 °C.

Here, a nanoporous Sm0.95Ce0.05FeO3−δ (SCFO) perovskite-type oxide is assessed in regard to its possible use as an electrode material for symmetrical solid oxide fuel cells. It is found that SCFO has a good redox stability after characterizing the sample which is calcined at 850 °C in 5% H2/N2 for 10 h. Optimized electrochemical performances are obtained in both the nanoporous anode and cathode which are mainly due to the high catalytic activity of SCFO for redox reaction. The peak power density of SCFO|YSZ|SCFO symmetrical cell is as high as 130 mW cm−2 at 800 °C using pure, humidified H2 as the fuel. Moreover, the maximum power density of 193 mW cm−2 can be obtained for the SCFO:YSZ(7:3)|YSZ|SCFO:YSZ(7:3) symmetrical cell under the same conditions.