Structural and microstructural characterization and properties of new phases in the Nd–Sr–Co–(Fe/Mn)–O system as air-electrodes in SOFCs

New oxides of the (NdSr)n+1MO3n+1 (M = Co and Mn or Fe) series are reported. Compounds of composition NdSrCo0.75Fe0.25O4.10, NdSrCo0.75Mn0.25O4.08 and Nd0.5Sr1.5Co0.75Mn0.25O3.86 are the n = 1 members of the Ruddlesden–Popper homologous series (K2NiF4 structural type) as determined by X-ray diffraction and different transmission electron microscopy techniques. Their crystal structure consists of connected (Co–Fe/Mn)O6 octahedra blocks separated by (Nd/Sr)O rock-salt like layers along the c-axis. Interstitial oxygen atoms or anion vacancies are induced depending on composition. Oxides with interstitial oxygen show good performances as intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cell (IT-SOFC) cathode. The area-specific resistance values of electrodes made of these oxides at 973 K in air are 0.18 Ω cm2 for NdSrCo0.75Fe0.25O4.10 and NdSrCo0.75Mn0.25O4.08 (comparable to the one of the state-of-the-art materials proposed as cathodes in IT-SOFC), and 1.38 Ω cm2 for Nd0.5Sr1.5Co0.75Mn0.25O3.86.