Facile Synthesis of Lanthanum Strontium Cobalt Ferrite (LSCF) Nanopowders Employing an Ion-Exchange Promoted Sol-Gel Process

The perovskite nanopowders of lanthanum strontium cobalt ferrite (LSCF) have been synthesized using the alginate mediated ion-exchange process. This perovskite-based material is a promising cathode for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs) due to its high electrical conductivity, low polarizability, high catalytic activity for oxygen reduction, enhanced chemical stability at an elevated temperature in high oxygen potential environment and high compatibility with the ceria based solid electrolytes. Phase pure LSCF 6428, LSCF 6455, and LSCF 6482 corresponding to La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3-delta, La0.6Sr0.4Co0.5Fe0.5O3-delta, and La0.6Sr0.4Co0.8Fe0.2O3-delta, respectively were successfully synthesized. The simultaneous thermal analysis (DSC-TGA) and XRD were used to determine the optimum calcination temperature for the dried ion-exchanged beads. Single phase nanopowders of LSCF (6428, 6455, and 6482) have been successfully prepared at a calcination temperature of 700 degrees C. The TGA analysis showed that every ton of LSCF-ALG dried beads can potentially yield 360 kg of LSCF nanopowders suggesting a potential for scaling-up of the process of manufacturing nanopowders of LSCF.

Automated summary

Perovskite nanopowders of lanthanum strontium cobalt ferrite (LSCF) were successfully synthesized using the alginate mediated ion-exchange process, exhibiting high electrical conductivity, low polarizability, high catalytic activity, enhanced chemical stability, and high compatibility with ceria based solid electrolytes, making them promising cathode materials for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells. The optimal calcination temperature of 700 degrees C was determined for the synthesis of single phase nanopowders of LSCF, with the potential for scaling-up the manufacturing process indicated by TGA analysis showing a yield of 360 kg of LSCF nanopowders per ton of dried beads.