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Enhanced performance of lithiated cathode materials of LiCo 0 . 6 X 0 . 4 O 2 (X = Mn, Sr, Zn) for proton‐conducting solid oxide fuel cell applications
Author(s) -
Wan Yusoff Wan Nor Anasuhah,
Somalu Mahendra Rao,
Baharuddin Nurul Akidah,
Muchtar Andanastuti,
Wei Lai Jian
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
international journal of energy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.808
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1099-114X
pISSN - 0363-907X
DOI - 10.1002/er.5819
Subject(s) - calcination , materials science , crystallite , cathode , thermogravimetric analysis , mineralogy , analytical chemistry (journal) , dopant , nuclear chemistry , chemical engineering , doping , chemistry , metallurgy , biochemistry , optoelectronics , chromatography , engineering , catalysis
Summary LiCoO 2 ‐based materials are well‐known cathode materials used in lithium ion batteries. Moreover, these materials are currently utilized in low‐temperature proton‐conducting solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). Various dopants, such as Mn, Sr, and Zn, are introduced into LiCo 2 ‐based materials to improve their properties and performance for proton‐conducting SOFC applications. In this regard, Mn‐, Sr‐, and Zn‐doped LiCoO 2 and LiCo 0.6 X 0.4 O 2 (X = Mn, Sr, or Zn) powders are synthesized via the glycine‐nitrate combustion method. Their properties are characterized using different techniques. The precursor cathode powder is dried at 100°C and subjected to thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The phase formation and morphology of calcined LiCo 0.6 Mn 0.4 O 2 (LCMO), LiCo 0.6 Sr 0.4 O 2 (LCSO), and LiCo 0.6 Zn 0.4 O 2 (LCZO) powders at 600°C to 700°C are examined via X‐ray diffraction. At 600°C, both calcined LCSO and LCZO powders show few secondary phases, but these phases greatly decrease as calcination temperature increases to 700°C. By contrast, calcined LCMO powders exhibit a single phase structure at both calcination temperatures of 600°C and 700°C. The measured crystallite sizes of LCMO, LCSO, and LCZO powders are 23.32 ± 0.20, 21.08 ± 0.72, and 21.24 ± 0.32 nm, respectively. TEM images indicate that the particles in LCMO and LCZO powders highly agglomerate compared with those in LCZO powders. This result confirms that LCSO cathodes have the highest electrical conductivity (356.66 S cm −1 ) and the lowest area specific resistance (0.29 Ω cm 2 in humidified [3%] air) at 700°C. In conclusion, LCSO materials are the best cathodes with high potential for proton‐conducting SOFC applications.