Effects of lanthanum strontium cobalt ferrite (LSCF) cathode properties on hollow fibre micro-tubular SOFC performances

Single layer La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3 hollow fibre (HF) precursors (<1 mm ID) produced by phase inversion (PI) were sintered at 1,200, 1,350 and 1,400 °C. The increase in sintering temperature resulted in microstructural changes in the LSCF fibres, reflected in their electrical conductivities. LSCF-based cathodes with different designs were brushed onto co-extruded nickel–gadolinium-doped ceria (CGO) anode/CGO electrolyte dual-layer HFs (<1 mm ID) fabricated by PI. The effect of cathode layers on the overall performance of the fuel cells (FCs) was assessed using nearly identical anode and electrolyte compositions, thicknesses, and microstructures. Cathode microstructure design caused cells to perform differently producing peak power densities of 0.35–0.7 W cm−2 at 600 °C. Impedance spectroscopy analysis at 600 °C on the FCs produced 0.12–0.24 Ω cm2 confirming the cathode’s structural effect on the overall area-specific resistance of the FCs. The best performing FC with a brush-deposited cathode was compared to a similar FC where cathode was deposited by dip coating; at 600 °C the first produced 0.6 W cm−2 while the second cell 0.7 W cm−2. Co-extruding anodes and electrolytes by using PI and combining dip coating for cathode deposition could lead to the fabrication of FCs with enhanced microstructures and improved performances.