Performance evaluation of highly active and novel La_0.7Sr_0.3Ti_0.1Fe_0.6Ni_0.3O_3-δ material both as cathode and anode for intermediate-temperature symmetrical solid oxide fuel cell

In comparison to various power generating devices/energy conversion systems, solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) has received much attention due to its remarkable efficiency, reliability and low pollution. Modified pechini method is used to synthesize La_0.7Sr_0.3Ti_0.1Fe_0.6Ni_0.3O_3-δ (LSTFN) perovskite material and is utilized as cathode and anode for intermediate-temperature symmetrical solid oxide fuel cell (IT-SSOFC). The X-ray diffractometer (XRD) patterns reveals perovskite cubic structure with single phase for LSTFN. The maximum conductivity ~318 Scm⁻¹ is obtained for LSTFN in air at a temperature of 700 °C, but is decreased with further increase in temperature due to small polaron mechanism. However, the conductivity is enhanced up to ~1.1 Scm⁻¹ at the same temperature in the presence of dry H₂, being capable to be utilized both as anode and cathode. Low polarization resistance (Rp) ~0.047 (with air) and 0.201Ωcm² (with dry H₂) is exhibited by as prepared perovskite material at a temperature of 800 °C. The fabricated symmetrical cell maintains good stability with no apparent degradation during the tested hours ~300 in air and ~100 with dry H₂.