Facile and low-temperature synthesis approach to fabricate Sm0.5Sr0.5CoO3−δ cathode material for solid oxide fuel cell

• Published in: Hanʼguk Seramik Hakhoe chi Vol. 60; no. 2; pp. 272 - 282
• Main Authors: Ahmed, Sheraz, Kazmi, Wajahat Waheed, Hussain, Amjad, Khan, Muhammad Zubair, Bibi, Saira, Saleem, Mohsin, Song, Rak Hyun, Sajid, Zaman, Ullah, Abid, Khan, Muhammad Kashif
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Singapore Springer Nature Singapore 01.03.2023
• Subjects: Ceramics; Chemistry and Materials Science; Composites; Glass; Materials Science; Natural Materials; Original Article; Synthesis; Performance; Cathode; Solid oxide fuel cell; Nano-catalyst
• ISSN: 1229-7801; 2234-0491
• DOI: 10.1007/s43207-022-00261-6

Herein, we report a facilely synthesized Sm 0.5 Sr 0.5 CoO 3 (SSC) nano-catalyst as a cathode material for the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). The SSC nano-catalyst was synthesized by a sol–gel process using citric acid and metal nitrates and calcination was performed at a relatively low temperature of 1250 ℃. The crystallinity and morphology of the catalyst were observed by the X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope. The average particle size of the SSC powder was 100 nm after calcination at 1250 °C. The resulting SSC material was employed as a cathode for the SOFC. The SOFC cell with highly active SSC showed a peak power density of 900 mWcm −2 at 700 °C. The single cell with an SSC cathode showed excellent stability under the accelerated operating conditions of 0.5A/cm 2 and 650 °C for 1250 min. The cell performance was enhanced during the initial hours of the long-term operation which is attributed to the cathode activation process and improved cathode/buffer layer interface contact. This work features a cost-effective, scalable, and reproducible method for the production of highly robust SSC cathode material for the SOFC under relatively low calcination temperatures.