Layered perovskite GdBaCoFeO5+x as cathode for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells

A layered perovskite oxide, GdBaCoFeO5+x (GBCF), was investigated as a novel cathode for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs). A laboratory-sized Sm0.2Ce0.8O1.9 (SDC)-based tri-layer cell of NiO–SDC/SDC/GBCF was tested under intermediate-temperature conditions of 550–650 °C with humidified H2 (∼3% H2O) as a fuel and the static ambient air as oxidant. A maximal power density of 746 mW cm−2 was achieved at 650 °C. The interfacial polarization resistance was as low as 0.42, 0.18 and 0.11 Ω cm2 at 550, 600 and 650 °C, respectively. The experimental results indicate that the layered perovskite GBCF is a promising cathode candidate for IT-SOFCs.