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Optical, mechanical and electrical properties of LSCF–SDC composite cathode prepared by sol–gel assisted rotary evaporation technique

  • Original Paper: Sol-gel and hybrid materials for energy, environment and building applications
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Abstract

La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3-δ (LSCF) is a perovskite-type oxide that exhibits excellent mixed ionic–electronic conducting properties and is a suitable cathode material for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells. This study investigates the microstructural, optical, mechanical, and electrical properties of an LSCF–samarium-doped ceria (SDC) composite cathode. LSCF–SDC composite cathode powders were prepared by mixing 50 wt% SDC electrolyte with LSCF cathode powders obtained by the rotary evaporation technique. The band gap of the prepared powders was determined via diffuse reflectance UV–visible spectroscopy. The chemical composition, mechanical properties, and electrochemical properties of the sintered pellets were characterized using Raman spectroscopy, Vickers hardness, and impedance spectroscopy, respectively. X-ray diffraction and Rietveld analysis showed that phase purity was only 96%. Moreover, a small fraction of tetragonal phase impurity was observed on the LSCF powders. Impurities significantly affected the phase stability and microstructure of the LSCF–SDC composite cathode. The addition of the SDC electrolyte enhanced the densification of the composite cathode, thereby improving mechanical properties. However, the addition of SDC exerted different effects on the DC electrical conductivity and area-specific resistance (ASR) of the composite cathode. At 800 °C, the ASR value of the LSCF was only 2% that of the LSCF–SDC composite cathode. Overall, the electrical properties of the LSCF–SDC composite cathode are closely related to the crystal structure, purity, and microstructure of LSCF cathode powders.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia under Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS/1/2015/TK10/UKM/01/2). The authors would like to extend their gratitude to the Center for Research and Instrumentation Management for the support and to UKM for excellent testing equipment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fuel Cell Institute, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia

    Muhammed Ali S. A., Mustafa Anwar, Nor Fatina Raduwan, Andanastuti Muchtar & Mahendra Rao Somalu

  2. U.S.-Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies in Energy, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan

    Mustafa Anwar

  3. Centre for Materials Engineering and Smart Manufacturing, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia

    Andanastuti Muchtar

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  1. Muhammed Ali S. A.
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  2. Mustafa Anwar
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  3. Nor Fatina Raduwan
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  5. Mahendra Rao Somalu
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Correspondence to Andanastuti Muchtar.

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Highlights

  • LSCF cathode powder was prepared by rotary evaporation method.

  • Effects of SDC addition on optical and electrical properties were analyzed.

  • Addition of SDC influenced the conductivity and bandgap of the composite cathode.

  • Resistance increased from 0.066 Ω cm2 for LSCF to 4 Ω cm2 for LSCF–SDC composite.

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S. A., M., Anwar, M., Raduwan, N. et al. Optical, mechanical and electrical properties of LSCF–SDC composite cathode prepared by sol–gel assisted rotary evaporation technique. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol 86, 493–504 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-018-4636-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-018-4636-8

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