Synthesis and electrochemical properties of layered perovskite substituted with heterogeneous lanthanides for intermediate temperature-operating solid oxide fuel cell

In this study, phase synthesis and electrochemical properties of Sm1-xNdxBa0.5Sr0.5Co2O5+d (x = 0–0.9) oxide systems where neodymium and samarium were replaced at the A-site of SmBa0.5Sr0.5Co2O5+d layered perovskite are investigated for use as cathode materials in Intermediate Temperature-operating Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (IT-SOFCs). The structure of Sm1-xNdxBa0.5Sr0.5Co2O5+d (x = 0–0.9) oxide systems can exist in either an orthorhombic (x = 0–0.4) or tetragonal (x = 0.5–0.9) form. The maximum electrical conductivities in Sm1-xNdxBa0.5Sr0.5Co2O5+d (x = 0–0.9) oxide systems were obtained from Sm0.2Nd0.8Ba0.5Sr0.5Co2O5+d (SNBSCO8) and their values are 1280 and 280 Scm−1 at 50 °C and 900 °C, respectively. The area specific resistances (ASRs) of SBSCO are 3.019, 0.611, and 0.092 Ωcm2 at 500, 600, and 700 °C, respectively. However, SNBSCO8 single phase gives the lowest ASRs of 1.751, 0.244 and 0.044 Ωcm2 at the same temperatures tested. SNBSCO8 is thus a promising candidate cathode material for IT-SOFC applications.