A single-step synthesized cobalt-free barium ferrites-based composite cathode for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells

Cobalt-free perovskite cathode with excellent oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) properties below 800 degrees C is a key material toward wide implementation of intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells. This work reports the phase structure, microstructure and performance of such cathode based on the composite phases of triclinic Ba(0.9)Bi(0.1)FeO(3-delta), cubic BaFeO(3) and orthorhombic BaFe(2)O(4) prepared by sol-gel route. The resultant barium ferrites composite cathode exhibits uniform particles, pores and elements distribution. In particular, favorable ORR properties of this cathode is demonstrated by very low interfacial resistance of only 0.036 and 0.072 Omega cm(2) at 750 and 700 degrees C and maximum power density of 1295 and 840 mW cm(-2) at 750 and 700 degrees C. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.