Effect of graphite pore former on oxygen electrodes prepared with La0.6Sr0.4CoO3-δ nanoparticles

This study aimed at fabricating porous crack-free and delamination-free La0.6Sr0.4CoO3-delta electrodes using nanopowders and investigating oxygen reduction (occurring at solid oxide fuel cell cathodes) and oxygen evolution (occurring at solid oxide electrolysis cell anodes) at 600 degrees C in air. The electrodes were deposited by screen-printing on Ce0.8Gd0.2O1.9 substrates. The pastes were prepared with nanoparticles synthesised by flame spray synthesis and graphite pore former. Without graphite, the electrodes sintered at 1000 degrees C exhibit relatively low porosity and significant densification which led to partial delamination and large overpotentials. The addition of graphite, which was removed by combustion at ca. 650 degrees C during sintering. markedly improves electrode performance by increasing porosity and reducing densification. A minimal overpotential for both the oxygen reduction and oxygen evolution was reached for a layer porosity of ca. 50-60 vol%. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.