Nanostructured BaCo(0.4)Fe(0.4)Zr(0.1)Y(0.1)O(3-δ) Cathodes with Different Microstructural Architectures

Lowering the operating temperature of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) is crucial to make this technology commercially viable. In this context, the electrode efficiency at low temperatures could be greatly enhanced by microstructural design at the nanoscale. This work describes alternative microstructural approaches to improve the electrochemical efficiency of the BaCo(0.4)Fe(0.4)Zr(0.1)Y(0.1)O(3-δ) (BCFZY) cathode. Different electrodes architectures are prepared in a single step by a cost-effective and scalable spray-pyrolysis deposition method. The microstructure and electrochemical efficiency are compared with those fabricated from ceramic powders and screen-printing technique. A complete structural, morphological and electrochemical characterization of the electrodes is carried out. Reduced values of area specific resistance are achieved for the nanostructured cathodes, i.e., 0.067 Ω·cm(2) at 600 °C, compared to 0.520 Ω·cm(2) for the same cathode obtained by screen-printing. An anode supported cell with nanostructured BCFZY cathode generates a peak power density of 1 W·cm(−2) at 600 °C.