Synthesis and characterization of cobalt-free SrFe0·8Ti0·2O3-δ cathode powders synthesized through combustion method for solid oxide fuel cells

• Published in: International journal of hydrogen energy Vol. 44; no. 58; pp. 30682 - 30691
• Main Authors: Baharuddin, Nurul Akidah, Muchtar, Andanastuti, Somalu, Mahendra Rao, Kalib, Noor Shieela, Raduwan, Nor Fatina
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 22.11.2019
• Subjects: Area specific resistance; Cobalt-free cathode; Particle size; Perovskite; Solid oxide fuel cell; Perovskite; Particle size; Cobalt-free cathode; Solid oxide fuel cell; Area specific resistance
• ISSN: 0360-3199; 1879-3487
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2018.11.142

Cobalt-free SrFe0·8Ti0·2O3-δ cathode powders were synthesized through the combustion method. Results of thermogravimetric and Fourier transform infrared analyses suggested that a perovskite oxide started to form at temperatures above 1100 °C. X-ray diffraction and Rietveld refinement analyses confirmed that the single-phase cubic structure (Pm-3m) of the SrFe0·8Ti0·2O3-δ cathode was produced after calcination at 1300 °C. The average sizes of the particles were 1.0827 and 1.4438 μm as revealed by field emission scanning electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering analysis, respectively. In addition, energy dispersive X-ray analysis coupled with mapping revealed the homogeneous distribution of elements in the cathode. The thermal expansion coefficient of the SrFe0·8Ti0·2O3-δ cathode is 16.20 × 10−6 K−1. For the electrochemical behavior, the area specific resistance of cathode (0.60–13.57 Ω cm2) was obtained at 600–800 °C, and the activation energy was 121.77 kJ mol−1. This work confirmed the potential of a SrFe0·8Ti0·2O3-δ cathode in the intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cell. •Cobalt-free SrFe0·8Ti0·2O3-δ cathode was successfully synthesized via combustion.•Pure and fine particles of cathode powders were produced after calcination.•The cathode displayed a thermal expansion coefficient of 16.20 × 10−6 K−1.•The area specific resistance of the cathode film is 0.60 Ω cm2 at 800° C.