Investigation of Ion and Electron Conduction in the Mixed Ionic-Electronic Conductor- La-Sr-Co-Fe-Oxide (LSCF) Using Alternating Current (AC) and Direct Current (DC) Techniques

Among many mixed ionic electronic conductors (MIECs), lanthanum strontium cobalt iron oxide (LSCF) has been proven as a promising material for use as cathode in SOFCs. The ion and electron conduction in LSCF need to be studied separately. To measure the ionic conductivity of LSCF, YSZ disks were applied to block the electronic current, and multilayered samples were made with YSZ disks in series with an LSCF disk. Both AC and DC techniques were used for the measurements. An LSCF(porous)/LSCF(dense)/LSCF(porous) bar-shaped sample was made to measure the electronic conductivity of LSCF. DC technique was utilized for the measurement. Results show that the ionic conductivity of LSCF is much lower than its electronic conductivity. The ionic conductivity of LSCF increases with increasing temperature (600 °C–900 °C), and the electronic conductivity decreases with increasing temperature (600 °C–900 °C). Measurements were also made on a foil of silver to investigate oxygen transport through it. From this, oxygen ion conductivity through silver was estimated.