Evaluation of Sr substituted Nd2CuO4 as a potential cathode material for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells

The Nd1.7Sr0.3CuO4 (NSCu) material with perovsikite-related structure was synthesized and evaluated as a new cathode for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs). The crystal structure, thermal expansion, electrical conductivity and electrochemical performance of NSCu have been investigated by X-ray diffraction, a dilatometer, DC four-probe method, AC impedance and cyclic voltammetry (CV) techniques. The polarization resistances of NSCu cathode on Sm-doped ceria (SDC) electrolyte in air were 0.07 Ω cm2, 0.24 Ω cm2 and 1.60 Ω cm2 at 800 °C, 700 °C and 600 °C, respectively. The results demonstrated that both impedance and CV methods are consistent with high exchange current density i0 (390.7 mA/cm2 and 76.1 mA/cm2 at 800 °C and 700 °C.), making NSCu a promising cathode material for the IT-SOFCs based on doped ceria electrolytes.