Short communicationHigh performance intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells with Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.1Nb0.1O3−δ as cathode

Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.1Nb0.1O3−δ (BSCFN) perovskite oxides have been synthesized and studied as the cathode material for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs). XRD and SEM testing results demonstrate that BSCFN is chemical and physical compatible with La0.8Sr0.2Ga0.83Mg0.17O3−δ(LSGM) electrolyte. The BSCFN cathodes exhibit excellent catalytic activity for oxygen reduction and mobility. High maximum power densities of 0.22, 0.41 and 0.63 W cm−2 have been obtained for the Ni–Ce0.9Gd0.1O2−δ(GDC)/La0.4Ce0.6O2−δ(LDC)/LSGM/BSCFN electrolyte supported single cell at 600, 650 and 700 °C, respectively. Further, the cell exhibits a stable performance under a constant current load of 0.6 A cm−2 for over 100 h at 650 °C, indicating the BSCFN is an excellent cathode material for IT-SOFCs.