Pure and Mn-doped La4SrTi5O17 layered perovskite as potential solid oxide fuel cell material: Structure and anodic performance

Pure and 5% Mn doped layered perovskites La4SrTi5O17, members of the La4Srn-4(Ti,Mn)(n)O3n+2 series with n = 5, have been synthesized and investigated as anode materials for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells. The use of XRD, neutron and electron diffraction techniques allows clarifying some divergences concerning the structural characterization within the family, not only in air but also in anodic-like N-2/H-2(97/3) atmosphere. The electrical conductivity of both compounds is very low in air but those values increase by two orders of magnitude in diluted hydrogen. The study of catalytic properties for methane steam reforming as well as in-depth analysis of the SOFC anodic behaviour of both materials are described, for which a microstructure optimization of the electrode allows to demonstrate the potential interest of the lamellar materials upon the classical three-dimensional cubic-like LSTs. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.