Layering Optimization of the SrFe0.9Ti0.1O3−δ–Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9 Composite Cathode

• Published in: Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Vol. 27; no. 8; p. 2549
• Main Authors: Abd Aziz, Azreen, Baharuddin, Nurul, Somalu, Mahendra, Muchtar, Andanastuti
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 14.04.2022; MDPI
• Subjects: area-specific resistance; Cathodes; Chemical reduction; Communication; Converters; Diffusion layers; Electrochemical analysis; electrochemical impedance; Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy; Electrochemistry; Electrode polarization; Electrolytes; Fuel technology; Gaseous diffusion; layered structures; microstructures; Nitrates; Optimization; Oxygen reduction reactions; Scanning electron microscopy; solid oxide fuel cell; Solid oxide fuel cells; Spectroscopy; Temperature; United States > US
• ISSN: 1420-3049; 1420-3049
• DOI: 10.3390/molecules27082549

Cathode thickness plays a major role in establishing an active area for an oxygen reduction reaction in energy converter devices, such as solid oxide fuel cells. In this work, we prepared SrFe0.9Ti0.1O3−δ–Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9 composite cathodes with different layers (1×, 3×, 5×, 7×, and 9× layer). The microstructural and electrochemical performance of each cell was then explored through scanning electron microscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). EIS analysis showed that the area-specific resistance (ASR) decreased from 0.65 Ωcm2 to 0.12 Ωcm2 with the increase in the number of layers from a 1× to a 7×. However, the ASR started to slightly increase at the 9× layer to 2.95 Ωcm2 due to a higher loss of electrode polarization resulting from insufficient gas diffusion and transport. Therefore, increasing the number of cathode layers could increase the performance of the cathode by enlarging the active area for the reaction up to the threshold point.