Microstructural characterization and electrochemical properties of Nd0.5Sr0.5Co0.5Mn0.5O3-δ as a novel cathode for SOFCs

The microstructure and electrochemical properties of a novel cathode Nd 0.5 Sr 0.5 Co 0.5 Mn 0.5 O 3- δ were discussed in the paper. After calcination at 1000 °C, a perfect single crystal was obtained. Some diffraction streaks along [200] and [112] patterns in HR-TEM appeared for the ordering of oxygen vacancies, or as the overlap of B-site cations (Co 2+ /Co 3+ and Mn 2+ /Mn 3+ ) with stacking fault-derived scattering of ordering. Area-specific resistance (ASR) was 0.023 Ω · cm 2 when Nd 0.5 Sr 0.5 Co 0.5 Mn 0.5 O 3- δ was deposited on the electrolyte as the electrode at 700 °C in air. The maximum power density and the maximum OCV were 592.80 mW·cm −2 at 650 °C and 0.89 V at 550 °C for a single cell, respectively. Hence, the material Nd 0.5 Sr 0.5 Co 0.5 Mn 0.5 O 3- δ could be considered as an air-electrode in Intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFC).