Boosting and Robust Multifunction Cathode Layer for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Designing an efficient cathode and an accelerating sluggish oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) process are crucial to enhancing electrochemical outputs for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). A novel multifunction layer (MFL) cathode that combines the Gd0.2Ce0.8O2-delta (GDC) interlayer with a La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3-delta (LSCF) cathode functional layer is reported. After precisely controlling the concentration of an infiltration precursor solution, discrete and filmy LSCF on the GDC scaffold (MFL-D and MFL-F) can be prepared. Compared with the discrete-coating of LSCF (MFL-D), the film-like coating of LSCF (MFL-F) exhibits a lower initial polarization impedance of 0.093 Omega cm(2) at 750 degrees C. The as-obtained SOFCs produce an enhanced peak power density of 0.93 W cm(-2) and have successfully been operated at 0.5 A cm(-2) for 400 h with a voltage degradation of only 16 mV. Oxygen ion transport model of the MFL-F is constructed and discussed. This work provides an important insight into designing efficient cathode for SOFCs.

Automated summary

Designing an efficient cathode and accelerating the sluggish oxygen reduction reaction process are crucial for enhancing electrochemical outputs in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). A novel multifunction layer cathode, combining a Gd0.2Ce0.8O2-delta (GDC) interlayer with a La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3-delta (LSCF) cathode functional layer, is reported in this study. By precisely controlling the concentration of the infiltration precursor solution, discrete and filmy LSCF coatings on the GDC scaffold can be prepared, with the film-like coating exhibiting lower initial polarization impedance and better stability. The as-obtained SOFCs exhibit enhanced peak power density and long-term operation stability.