Performance of Cobalt-free La0.6Sr0.4Fe0.9Ni0.1O3-d Cathode Material for Intermediate Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

A series of cobalt-free perovskite-type cathode materials La0.6Sr0.4Fe1xNixO3 delta (0 <= x <=?0.15) for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs) are prepared by a citric-nitrate process. The conductivities of the cathode materials are measured as functions of temperature (300800?degrees C) in air by AC impedance method, and the La0.6Sr0.4Fe0.9Ni0.1O3 delta (LSFN10) has the highest conductivity to be 160?S?cm1 at 400?degrees C. A single IT-SOFC based on LSFN10 cathode, BaZr0.1Ce0.7Y0.2O3 delta electrolyte membrane and NiBaZr0.1Ce0.7Y0.2O3 delta anode substrate was fabricated by a simple spin-coating process, and the performances of the cell using hydrogen as fuel and air as the oxidant were researched by electrochemical methods at 600700?degrees C. The maximum power densities of the cell are 405?mW?cm2 at 700?degrees C, 238?mW?cm2 at 650?degrees C, and 140?mW?cm2 at 600?degrees C, respectively. The results indicate that the LSFN10 is a promising cathode material for proton conducting IT-SOFCs.