Strategies for perspective cathode materials for IT-SOFC

Abstract

Lowering of the operation temperature of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells from present 1000 °C down to intermediate range 600-800 °C (so-called IT-SOFC), considered as a strategic goal in technological development, calls for application of suitable cathode material, which at that temperature range would possess high catalytic activity towards an oxygen reduction process. A crucial factor for IT- SOFC cells is the implementation of perovskite material, characterized by improved ionic-electronic transport for the cathode. In this chapter, we present studies of perovskites from group of Ln1-xAxMO3 oxides, where: Ln: lanthanides, A: alkali-earth metals (e.g., Sr, Ba), M: composition of Fe, Co, and Mn. A challenging task was to assess interrelations between the types of point defects related to oxygen non-stoichiometry and foreign atoms of dopants, their concentration, crystal structure, electronic structure, transport, and catalytic properties. © Springer-Verlag London 2013.