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Performance optimization of LSCF/Gd:CeO$_2$ composite cathodes via single-step inkjet printing infltration

Published version
Peer-reviewed

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Authors

Tomov, RI 
Mitchell-Williams, T 
Gao, C 
Kumar, RV 
Glowacki, BA 

Abstract

The effect of solid oxide fuel cell cathode microstructure modification on its electrochemical activity is investigated. Inkjet printing infiltration was used to develop a nano-decoration pattern on the composite cathode scaffolds. Two types of composite La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3−δ:Ce0.9Gd0.1O1.9 cathodes with different volume ratios (60:40 and 40:60 vol%) were fabricated using inkjet printing of suspension inks. The electrodes were altered by single-step inkjet printing infiltration of ethanol-based Ce0.9Gd0.1O1.9 ink. After heat treatments in air at 550 °C the cathodes’ surfaces were shown to be nano-decorated with Ce0.9Gd0.1O1.9 particles (~20–120 nm in size) dispersed uniformly onto the electrode scaffold. The nano-engineered microstructure enhanced the active triple phase boundary of the electrode and promoted the surface exchange reaction of oxygen. Electrochemical impedance tests conducted on symmetrical cells showed a reduction in the polarization resistance of between 1.3 and 2.9 times. The effect was found to be more pronounced in the 60:40 vol% composite cathodes. Ageing of infiltrated electrodes up to 60 h in air revealed enhanced stability of gadolinium doped ceria nanoparticles decorated electrodes ascribed to the suppression of SrO surface segregation. This work demonstrated that single-step inkjet printing infiltration can produce reproducible performance enhancements and thus offers a cost-effective route for commercial solid oxide fuel cell infiltration processing.

Description

Keywords

inkjet printing, infltration, lanthanum strontium cobaltite ferrite, doped ceria, solid oxide fuel cells

Journal Title

Journal of Applied Electrochemistry

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0021-891X
1572-8838

Volume Title

47

Publisher

Springer
Sponsorship
The authors wish to acknowledge EPSRC Grant—“Tailoring of microstructural evolution in impregnated SOFC electrodes” —for the financial support.