Combustion synthesis of La0.7Sr0.3Co0.5Fe0.5O3 (LSCF) porous materials for application as cathode in IT-SOFC

La0.7Sr0.3Co0.5Fe0.5O3 (LSCF) porous materials have attracted a substantial interest for application as cathode in solid oxide fuel cells of intermediate temperature (IT-SOFC). This work investigates the effect of different propellants (urea, glycine, citric acid and sucrose) in the preparation of LSCF powders by the combustion method and also the influence of the sintering temperature on the porosity and electrical conductivity. TGA profiles of the as-prepared samples showed a lower weight loss for the sample prepared with glycine, associated with the higher combustion temperature. XRD patterns presented characteristic reflections of LSFC perovskite and a small formation of secondary phases, with nanometric crystallite sizes (9–20 nm). SEM analysis revealed the loose and porous structure of the powder materials. Densification studies were carried within 950–1100 °C, showing that porosity decreased with increasing sintering temperature. Electrical conductivity was measured in the temperature range 300–800 °C and correlated with the sintering temperature.