Synthesis and characteristics of La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3-δ perovskite cathode material by microwave assisted sol – gel method

In this study, LSCF 6428 was synthesized by microwave assisted sol – gel method. XRD and SEM analyses were used to determine the single-phase and nanocrystalline structure. Properties of this perovskite material including specific area, thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) and resistance of cathode were studied. The results showed that well-crystalline perovskite was obtained at microwaved of 500 W in 10 minutes, stirred at 90 oC in 2 hours and calcined at 900 oC in 1 hours. The surface area of the material was 13.384 m2/g. The properties of materials were also improved by mixing with Gadolinium doped ceria (GDC) at the ratio 7:3 (w/w). At this ratio, TEC of composite matched with electrolyte. The resistance of cathode was 0.17 – 0.2 Ω in the range of temperature from 580 – 700 oC. Microwave assisted sol – gel was an easy, economical and time – saving method to synthesis LSCF 6428 for Single Chamber - Solid oxide fuel cell (SC-SOFC) cathode application.