Electrochemical and microstructural characteristics of nanoperovskite oxides Ba0.2Sr0.8Co0.8Fe0.2O3-δ (BSCF) for solid oxide fuel cells

Nanoperovskite oxides, Ba0.2Sr0.8Co0.8Fe0.2O3-delta (BSCF), were synthesized via the co-precipitation method using Ba, Sr, Co, and Fe nitrates as precursors. Next, half cells were fabricated by painting BSCF thin film on Sm0.2Ce0.8Ox (samarium doped ceria, SDC) electrolyte pellets. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements were carried out on the BSCF powders and pellets obtained after sintering at 900 degrees C. Investigations revealed that single-phase perovskites with cubic structure was obtained in this study. The impedance spectra for BSCF/SDC/BSCF cells were measured to obtain the interfacial area specific resistances (ASR) at several operating temperatures. The lowest values of ASR were found to be 0.19 Omega cm(2), 0.14 Omega cm(2) 0.10 cm(2), 0.09 Omega cm(2) and 0.07 Omega cm(2) at operating temperatures of 600 degrees C, 650 degrees C, 700 degrees C, 750 degrees C and 800 degrees C, respectively. The highest conductivity was found for cells sintered at 900 degrees C with an electrical conductivity of 153 S cm(-1) in air at operating temperature of 700 degrees C. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.