Nanostructured BaCo_0.4Fe_0.4Zr_0.1Y_0.1O_3-δ Cathodes with Different Microstructural Architectures

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Energy Conversion

Background:

• Lowering operating temperatures is key for commercializing solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs).
• Nanoscale microstructural design offers a promising route to enhance electrode efficiency at reduced temperatures.
• BaCo0.4Fe0.4Zr0.1Y0.1O3-δ (BCFZY) is a potential cathode material for SOFCs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate alternative microstructural approaches for improving the electrochemical efficiency of BCFZY cathodes.
• To develop cost-effective and scalable methods for fabricating nanostructured BCFZY electrodes.
• To compare the performance of spray-pyrolysis deposited BCFZY cathodes with those made via conventional methods.

Main Methods:

• Single-step spray-pyrolysis deposition to create different electrode architectures.
• Structural, morphological, and electrochemical characterization of fabricated electrodes.
• Fabrication and testing of an anode-supported SOFC with a nanostructured BCFZY cathode.

Main Results:

• Nanostructured BCFZY cathodes achieved significantly reduced area specific resistance (0.067 Ω·cm² at 600 °C) compared to screen-printed counterparts (0.520 Ω·cm²).
• Spray-pyrolysis enabled a cost-effective and scalable fabrication of BCFZY electrodes.
• Anode-supported SOFC with nanostructured BCFZY cathode demonstrated a peak power density of 1 W·cm⁻² at 600 °C.

Conclusions:

• Nanostructuring BCFZY cathodes via spray-pyrolysis is an effective strategy to enhance SOFC performance at low temperatures.
• The developed method offers a scalable and cost-efficient approach for manufacturing advanced SOFC components.
• Achieving high power density at 600 °C highlights the potential of these nanostructured cathodes for practical SOFC applications.