Electrical and electrocatalytic properties of a La0.8Sr0.2Co0.17Mn0.83O3−δ cathode for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells

Our previous study of La1−xSrxMnO3±δ (LSM) infiltrated La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3−δ (LSCF) cathode suggests that a hybrid phase, La0.8Sr0.2Co0.17Mn0.83O3−δ (LSMCo), is associated with the observed enhancement in performance and stability of LSCF cathodes. Here we report the properties of LSMCo as a potential cathode for a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). The electrical conductivity of LSMCo varies from 118 to 166 S cm−1 at 500–800 °C. The interfacial polarization resistances of an LSMCo cathode on YSZ electrolyte are smaller than those of an LSM cathode at 600–800 °C. The performance of a cell based on an LSMCo cathode is ∼34% higher than that based on an LSM cathode while maintaining comparable long-term stability, indicating that LSMCo is a promising cathode material for intermediate temperature SOFCs.

► The La0.8Sr0.2Co0.17Mn0.83O3−δ (LSMCo) was successfully prepared by a micro-wave assisted sol–gel method. ► Single-phase LSMCo was obtained after sintering at 600 °C. ► The LSMCo was chemical compatible with YSZ at 1050 °C. ► The performance of LSMCo was ∼34% higher than that of LSM when they are used as cathode in single cells operated at 750 °C at 0.7 V. ► The performance of LSMCo cathode showed no degradation for 100 h.