BaFe0.6Ce0.1Co0.3O3-δ as a high-performance cathode for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells

The search for cathode materials with high oxygen reduction reactions activity is a key step toward reducing the operation temperature of solid oxide fuel cells. We report a novel perovskite-type BaFe0.6Ce0.1Co0.3O3-δ (BFCC) cathode, which exhibits outstanding activity for oxygen reduction reactions and yields low interfacial resistances, e.g., 0.113 Ω cm2 at 650 °C. The SEM results show that BFCC is chemically, thermally compatible with Ce0.8Sm0.2O2-δ (SDC) at operation temperatures. The tri-layer single cells of Ni–SDC|SDC|BFCC are operated from 500 to 650 °C with humidified hydrogen (∼ 3% H2O) as fuel and oxygen as oxidant. It shows excellent power densities of 1422 mW cm−2 at 650 °C and 1086 mW cm−2 at 600 °C. Preliminary results demonstrate that the BFCC is a promising cathode material for reduced-temperature solid oxide fuel cells.