A novel cobalt-free double-perovskite NdBaFe1.9Nb0.1O5+δ cathode material for proton-conducting IT-SOFC

A novel cobalt-free double-perovskite oxide NdBaFe1.9Nb0.1O5+delta (NBFNb10) was prepared by a solid-state reaction method and investigated as a suitable cathode material for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs). It was discovered that partial substitution of Nb for Fe-site further enhanced the electrical conductivity of NdBaFe2O5+delta (NBF). The NBFNb10 exhibited the highest conductivity of 109 S cm(-1) at 300-800 degrees C in air, and showed good chemical compatibility with the BaZr0.1Ce0.7Y0.2O3-alpha (BZCY) electrolyte. A single cell with the NBFNb10-BZCY composite cathode and NiO-BZCY composite anode-supported BZCY electrolyte membrane (ca. 30 mu m thickness) was fabricated and tested at 500-700 degrees C using H-2 as fuel and air as oxidant. The peak power density and the interfacial polarization resistance (R-p) were 392 mW cm(-2) and 0.14 52 Omega cm(2) at 700 degrees C, respectively. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.