Investigation on Pr2 - xSrxNiO4 + δ (x=0.3-1.0) cathode materials for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cell

Solid solutions Pr-2 (-) xSrxNiO4 (+) (delta) (x = 0.5, 0.7, 0.9 and 1.0) are synthesized by microwave combustion yield crystallite size in the range 85-100 nm. The Pr-2 (-) xSrxNiO4 (+) (delta) solid solutions are of tetragonal structure in a single-phase across the compositional range under study. The maximum d.c. conductivity sigma = 039 S cm(-1), at 700 degrees C, is obtained at a composition corresponding to x = 0.7, represented by the chemical formula Pr1.3Sr0.7NiO4 (+) (delta) Symmetric cells in the configuration given by -electrode/electrolyte/electrode-, with Pr1.3Sr0.7NiO4 (+) (delta) as the electrodes, were fabricated by spin coating. The minimum area specific resistance (ASR) value of 0.39 Omega cm(2) was obtained at a temperature of 700 degrees C for the solid solution corresponding to x = 0.7 and directly correlated with the maximum in d.c. conductivity. (C) 2013 Published by Elsevier B.V.