Preparation of IT-SOFC with Pr₂NiO₄ cathode and hybrid Ce_0.8Sm_0.2O_1.9 electrolyte

Abstract

Pr₂NiO₄ (PNO) powders were synthesized by the glycine-nitrite process (GNP) for use as the cathode in an intermediate-temperature (500–800°C) solid oxide fuel cell (IT-SOFC). When PNO powder was calcined at 1200°C for 1 h, the pure single phase with good crystallization K₂NiF₄-type structure was obtained. Moreover, samarium doped ceria (Ce_0.8Sm_0.2O_1.9, SDC) and NiO-SDC were used as electrolyte and anode, respectively. The maximal power density of 439 mW/cm² was obtained by the PNO/SDC/NiO-SDC cell at 800°C. Furthermore, the electrolyte surface of co-pressed SDC/NiO-SDC was modified with a chemical solution deposition derived SDC layer to improve the cell performance. Besides, the power density of the PNO/SDC layer/SDC/NiO-SDC cell increased to 487 mW/cm² at 800°C. These results suggest that PNO cathode materials prepared by GNP and chemical solution deposition modified SDC electrolyte have potential for application in anode-supported IT-SOFCs.