Evaluation of Sr substituted Nd2CuO4 as a potential cathode material for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells

Abstract: The Nd1.7Sr0.3CuO4 (NSCu) material with perovsikite-related structure was synthesized and evaluated as a new cathode for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs). The crystal structure, thermal expansion, electrical conductivity and electrochemical performance of NSCu have been investigated by X-ray diffraction, a dilatometer, DC four-probe method, AC impedance and cyclic voltammetry (CV) techniques. The polarization resistances of NSCu cathode on Sm-doped ceria (SDC) electrolyte in air were 0.07Ωcm2, 0.24Ωcm2 and 1.60Ωcm2 at 800°C, 700°C and 600°C, respectively. The results demonstrated that both impedance and CV methods are consistent with high exchange current density i 0 (390.7mA/cm2 and 76.1mA/cm2 at 800°C and 700°C.), making NSCu a promising cathode material for the IT-SOFCs based on doped ceria electrolytes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]