Synthesis and characterization of cobalt-free SrFe0.8Ti0.2O3-δ cathode powders synthesized through combustion method for solid oxide fuel cells

Cobalt-free SrFe0.8Ti0.2O3-delta cathode powders were synthesized through the combustion method. Results of thermogravimetric and Fourier transform infrared analyses suggested that a perovskite oxide started to form at temperatures above 1100 degrees C. X-ray diffraction and Rietveld refinement analyses confirmed that the single-phase cubic structure (Pm-3m) of the SrFe0.8Ti0.2O3-delta cathode was produced after calcination at 1300 degrees C. The average sizes of the particles were 1.0827 and 1.4438 am as revealed by field emission scanning electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering analysis, respectively. In addition, energy dispersive X-ray analysis coupled with mapping revealed the homogeneous distribution of elements in the cathode. The thermal expansion coefficient of the SrFe0.8Ti0.2O3-delta cathode is 16.20 x 10(-6) K-1. For the electrochemical behavior, the area specific resistance of cathode (0.60-13.57 Omega cm(2)) was obtained at 600-800 degrees C, and the activation energy was 121.77 kJ mol(-1). This work confirmed the potential of a SrFe0.8Ti0.2O3-delta cathode in the intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cell. (C) 2018 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.