La2Pr2Ni3O10±δ Ruddlesden-Popper phase as potential intermediate temperature-solid oxide fuel cell cathodes

Ruddlesden-Popper phases are layered oxides composed of nABO3 perovskite layers sandwiched between two AO rock-salt layers. Herein a new composition of n = 3 Ruddlesden-Popper phases, La2Pr2Ni3O10±δ, synthesised by the citrate sol-gel method is reported. A preliminary microstructure investigation combined with studies of the electrochemical performance of this new composition, La2Pr2Ni3O10±δ as a potential cathode material in both symmetrical and single cell configurations is reported. The area specific resistance of the La2Pr2Ni3O10±δ cathode was found to be 0.34 Ω cm2 at 800 °C, which is significantly better than previous reports for the La4Ni3O10±δ analogue under similar conditions. A modest peak power density of 0.19 W cm−2 at 800 °C was found, whilst electrode adhesion was identified as contributing to the modest performance.