High-efficiency Construction and Performance Optimization of Surface-modified LSCF-GDC Multiphase Composite Air Electrodes

doi:10.15541/jim20250496

Abstract

Abstract:

To enable the efficient operation of reversible solid oxide cells (RSOCs) at intermediate or lower temperatures, the development of high-performance air electrodes is crucial. This work addresses the insufficient oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity of the conventional La_0.6Sr_0.4Co_0.2Fe_0.8O_3-_δ-Gd_0.2Ce_0.8O_3-_δ(LSCF-GDC) air electrode at these temperatures by constructing a nanocatalyst coating on the LSCF-GDC electrode skeleton via a simple and cost-effective infiltration method. Through systematic optimization of the sintering temperature, loading amount and type of catalysts, Pr_0.5Sr_0.5CoO_3-_δ (PSC) is confirmed as the optimal catalyst for modification. The modified symmetrical cell exhibits a polarization resistance (R_p) of 0.16 Ω·cm² at 600 ℃, 71.4% lower than that of the pristine LSCF-GDC air electrode (0.56 Ω·cm²). Relaxation time distribution analysis indicates that PSC nanoparticles significantly enhance the ORR/OER kinetics by synergistically optimizing oxygen diffusion, surface exchange, and ion transport processes. The single cell with PSC modification achieves an outstanding peak power density of 1.23 W·cm^-2 in the fuel cell (FC) mode at 700 ℃ with a 92.19% enhancement. Both FC and electrolysis cell (EC) modes modified with nano-PSC exhibit superior long-term stabilities. This study demonstrates that PSC impregnation modification is an effective strategy for comprehensively improving the overall performance of LSCF-GDC air electrodes, which is of great significance for promoting intermediate temperature RSOC technology.

Key words: reversible solid oxide cell, air electrode, surface modification, Pr_0.5Sr_0.5CoO₃ catalyst, oxygen reduction/ evolution reaction

CLC Number:

TM911

SHEN Xuesong, XIE Kaifeng, XUE Qiang, ZHENG Guozhu, XIAO Guoping, CHEN Ting, CHEN Wenmiao, WANG Shaorong. High-efficiency Construction and Performance Optimization of Surface-modified LSCF-GDC Multiphase Composite Air Electrodes[J]. Journal of Inorganic Materials, 2026, 41(7): 965-973.

Figures/Tables 10

Fig. 1 XRD patterns of (a) PSC, LSCF-GDC, and (b) mixed LSCF-GDC+PSC powders after calcination

Fig. 2 EIS spectra of symmetrical cells at 550-700 ℃ with LSCF-GDC air electrode sintered at (a) 950, (b) 1000, and (c) 1050 ℃; (d) Rp at 600 ℃ for LSCF-GDC air electrode sintered at different temperatures

Fig. 3 (a) EIS spectra of LSCF-GDC air electrodes with different PSC infiltration amounts in an air environment at 600 ℃; (b) Rp of LSCF-GDC air electrodes measured at different temperatures and infiltration amounts; (c) EIS spectra of LSCF-GDC air electrodes modified with 10 µL of different infiltration solutions in an air environment at 600 ℃; (d, e) DRT analysis based on EIS spectra; (f) O1s XPS spectra of PSC-LSCF-GDC and bare LSCF-GDC air electrodes

Fig. 4 (a) Rp varied with time of symmetric cells with PSC-LSCF-GDC and bare LSCF-GDC air electrodes measured at 600 ℃ in air environment; (b) EIS spectra and (c) DRT curves of symmetric cells with PSC-LSCF-GDC and bare LSCF-GDC air electrodes at 0 and 120 h

Fig. 5 (a) Cross-sectional SEM image of a single cell with the configuration NiO-SSZ/SSZ/GDC/LSCF-GDC; (b, c) SEM images of (b) bare LSCF-GDC and (c) PSC-LSCF-GDC air electrodes

Fig. 6 (a, b) EIS spectra and (c, d) I-V-P curves of (a, c) bare LSCF-GDC and (b, d) PSC- LSCF-GDC single cells in FC mode at 550-800 ℃; (e) Stability test of single cells at 700 ℃

Fig. 7 (a) EIS spectra, (b) I-V curves and (c) stability test at 700 ℃ of the single cell with PSC-LSCF-GDC air electrode in EC mode under an atmosphere of 50% H2O+50% H2 at 600-800 ℃

Fig. S1 DRT curves of LSCF-GDC air electrodes with different PSC infiltration amounts

Fig. S2 SEM images of LSCF-GDC air electrodes infiltrated with (a) 2, (b) 6, (c) 10, and (d) 12 μL PSC catalyst solution

Fig. S3 Equivalent circuit diagram fitted with Rohm and Rp

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