Synthesis and characterization of novel Ce0.8Sm0.2Fe0.9Ir0.03Co0.07O3−δ perovskite material and possible application as a cathode for low–intermediate temperature SOFCs

•Ce0.8Sm0.2Fe0.9Ir0.03Co0.07O3−δ was synthesized using sol–gel methods.•Material was thoroughly characterized using Raman, FTIR, XRD, HRTEM, SEM, and TGA.•Electrochemical performance showed the materials are a promising new cathode material for low temperature SOFC.

A novel perovskite material, Ce0.8Sm0.2Fe0.9Ir0.03Co0.07O3−δ was synthesized using a sol–gel technique. The materials were calcined at temperatures of 800 °C, 900 °C, and 1000 °C and then characterized using X-ray diffraction, Raman and infrared spectroscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The particle sizes and crystallite sizes increased with increasing calcination temperature and formed perovskite type materials with some separate magnetite and iridium oxide. The powders were used to assemble button cells using samarium doped ceria as the electrolyte and NiO/SDC as the anode materials. The electrochemical properties were investigated using a Fiaxell open flanges test set-up and a Nuvant™ Powerstat-05 potentiostat/galvanostat. The Ce0.8Sm0.2Fe0.9Ir0.03Co0.07O3−δ cathode material calcined at 1000 °C exhibited the most promising performance, with a maximum power density of 0.400 W/cm2, a current density of 0.8 A/cm2, and a corresponding area specific resistance of 0.247 Ωcm2 at 500 °C. The button cells were reasonably stable over15 h.

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