Synthesis and electrochemical characterization of La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3–δ / Ce0.9Gd0.1O1.95 co-electrospun nanofiber cathodes for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells.

Synthesis and electrochemical characterization of composite cathodes, formed from a mixture of La 0.6 Sr 0.4 Co 0.2 Fe 0.8 O 3–δ (LSCF) and Ce 0.9 Gd 0.1 O 1.95 (GDC) nanofibers, is reported. The electrodes are obtained by simultaneous electrospinning of the two precursor solutions, using apparatus equipped with two spinnerets working in parallel. Results of electrochemical testing carried out through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) are presented and discussed. The results suggest that the electrochemical reaction takes place in an electrode region close to the electrode/current collector interface and that the oxygen ions then flow along the ionic conducting path of the GDC fibers. At 650 °C, the polarization resistance is R p = 5.6 Ω cm−2, in line with literature values reported for other IT-SOFC cathodes. • LSCF/GDC electrospun nano-fiber cathodes for IT-SOFCs. • New co-electrospinning technique. • Electrochemical characterization through EIS. • Percolation issues affect bimodal nanofiber electrodes. • Polarization resistance R p = 5.6 Ω cm2 at T = 650 °C in air. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]