Characterization and functional application of PrBa0.5Sr0.5Co1.5Fe0.5O5+ cathode material for IT-SOFC

Abstract The physicochemical properties for layered perovskite PrBa0.5Sr0.5Co1.5Fe0.5O5+δ (PBSCF) oxide are systematically investigated to gain insight into the correlation between structure, surface state and oxygen reduction reaction properties. The PBSCF sample possesses orthorhombic structure and keeps better structural stability under operating conditions. X-ray photoelectron spectra analysis indicates that the mixed oxidation state of (Co, Fe) and Pr promotes the oxygen reduction reaction kinetics by creating oxygen vacancies at the surface. Mossbauer Spectroscopy affirms that the proportion of Fe3+ and Fe4+ in iron species is 79.1 % and 20.9 %, respectively. The electrode polarization resistance is 0.067 Ω cm2 at 800 °C in air. The oxygen-ion bulk diffusion plays the rate-limiting step during the electrode process. The cell with PBSCF cathode delivers the power density of 590 mW cm−2 at 800 °C. These results show the PBSCF exhibits a promising application prospect in intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cell.