Novel co-precipitation derived nanostructured LSM-YSZ cathode for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells

Abstract

Strontium doped lanthanum manganite ((La_0.85Sr_0.15)_0.98MnO₃; LSM)/yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) nanocomposite particles were synthesized through a novel co-precipitation method using YSZ nanoparticles with the average size of 3 nm as seed crystals. Phase evolution studies indicated that crystalline LSM/YSZ phases were obtained by calcining the co-precipitated precursor above 700°C. The nanocomposite particles calcined at 1000°C were screen printed on YSZ dense electrolytes and then sintered at 1100°C for cathode fabrication. The resulting cathode had a uniform porous structure consisting of fine grains ∼100 nm in size, and exhibited low polarization resistance of 2.82, 1.18, 0.48 and 0.25 Ω·cm² at 650, 700, 750 and 800°C, respectively under air atmosphere. These results indicated that the present nanostructured cathode may be applicable for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells.