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Synthesis and characterization of La0.595V0.005Sr0.4CoO3−δ as a novel cathode material for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC)

  • Original Paper: Devices based on sol-gel or hybrid materials
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An Erratum to this article was published on 24 February 2017

Abstract

The effect of vanadium doping on the crystal structure and on the electrical, electrochemical properties of La0.6−x V x Sr0.4CoO3−δ (x = 0.005–0.05) perovskite oxides performing as cathode materials in solid oxide fuel cells is investigated in this study. Crystal structure, surface morphology, and porosity of prepared cathode materials are characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray absorption fine structure, and scanning electron microscopy. For the first time, it has been proven by X-ray absorption fine structure that La3+ cation is replaced with V4+/5+ cation in perovskite structure. Since V4+/5+ cation has the radius almost half of the radius of La3+ cation, this replacement adds better properties to the perovskite structure such as ionic conductivity and catalytic activity for oxygen reduction reaction. The electrical conductivity at the intermediate temperatures (400–700 °C) appears to be enough to yield a better performance in intermediate temperature-solid oxide fuel cells applications. The sample with 0.05% V4+/5+ doping exhibits its maximum electronic conductivity (σ = 843 S.cm−1 at 400 °C) and minimum activation energy (Ea = 0.049 eV). The La0.595V0.005Sr0.4CoO3 material as electrode for symmetric cell configuration was prepared on both surfaces of yttria-stabilized zirconia substrates. Oxygen concentration related polarization experiment suggests that the oxygen adsorption–desorption process or reactions controlled by the atomic oxygen diffusion process followed by a charge transfer are the cathode reaction rate-limiting steps.

Graphical Abstract

V4+/5+ ion doped LVxSC (La0.6-xVxSr0.4CoO3−δ x = 0.005-0.05) cathode materials for intermediate temperature-solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFC) are synthesized for the first time by sol-gel method. LV05SC cathode with good electro-catalytic activity for ORR can be considered as a potential cathode material for IT-SOFC applications.

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Acknowledgements

Authors gratefully acknowledged the financial grants supplied by the Technological and Scientific Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) (Project No: 112M279 and 214Z094) and Bogazici University, Scientific Research Projects (BAP) (Project No: 5341-10B05S11). Also, authors are very appreciative to Dr. Osman Murat Özkendir, Dr. Wantana Klyusubun and his research group in SLRI-Siam Photon (Nakhon Ratschasima, Thailand) Laboratories for XAFS analysis.

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  1. Department of Chemistry, Bogazici University, Istanbul, Bebek, 34342, Turkey

    Aysenur Eslem Kisa & Oktay Demircan

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  1. Aysenur Eslem Kisa
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Correspondence to Oktay Demircan.

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An erratum to this article is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10971-017-4393-0.

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Eslem Kisa, A., Demircan, O. Synthesis and characterization of La0.595V0.005Sr0.4CoO3−δ as a novel cathode material for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC). J Sol-Gel Sci Technol 82, 352–362 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-017-4334-y

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