Layered perovskite PrBa0.5Sr0.5Co2O5+δ as high performance cathode for solid oxide fuel cells using oxide proton-conducting electrolyte

The layered perovskite PrBa0.5Sr0.5Co2O5+δ (PBSC) was investigated as a cathode material for a solid oxide fuel cell using an oxide proton conductor based on BaZr0.1Ce0.7Y0.2O3−δ (BZCY). The sintering conditions for the PBSC–BZCY composite cathode were optimized, resulting in the lowest area-specific resistance and apparent activation energy obtained with the cathode sintered at 1200 °C for 2 h. The maximum power densities of the PBSC–BZCY/BZCY/NiO–BZCY cell were 0.179, 0.274, 0.395, and 0.522 W cm−2 at 550, 600, 650, and 700 °C, respectively with a 15 μm thick electrolyte. A relatively low cell interfacial polarization resistance of 0.132 Ω cm2 at 700 °C indicated that the PBSC–BZCY could be a good cathode candidate for intermediate temperature SOFCs with BZCY electrolyte.