Recent advances in Perovskite-type materials for solid oxide fuel cell cathodes

Perovskite materials, particularly of the LaMO3 type, where M is typically a transition metal, have in increasing numbers been found to possess mixed ionic-electronic conductivity. For use as cathodes in fuel cells the presence of mixed ionic-electronic conductivity in oxides: has been found to he highly beneficial. Therefore, considerable efforts have been directed towards the development of this type of cathode. The performance of the cathode material is of fundamental importance to the operation of these devices. In recent years a significant amount of time has been expended on the development of these perovskite materials, identifying new mixed conductors and improving the operational performance of existing materials through development of improved cell designs. This article concentrates on the advances in performance and the strategies used to achieve this and, in particular, focuses on developments within the last 10 years. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.