Characterization of solid oxide fuel cell using doped lanthanum gallate

The power-generation characteristics and the electrode overpotential of the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) using doped lanthanum gallate perovskite-type oxide as an electrolyte were measured at temperatures below that of the typical SOFC using yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) as an electrolyte. The oxide ion conductivity of the electrolyte, La0.8Sr0.2Ga0.8Mg0.15Co0.05O3−δ (LSGMC), was much higher than that of YSZ. A single cell using LSGMC of 205 μm in thickness showed a power density of 380 mW/cm2 at a current density of 0.5 A/cm2 and a temperature of 650°C by using air and dry hydrogen as oxidant and fuel, respectively. The overpotential of anode was larger than that of the cathode and dominated the overall overpotential. The IR-drop measured by current-interrupting method was in good agreement with the value estimated from the electrical conductivity of the electrolyte. The experimental results indicate that LSGMC is a promising material as an electrolyte for a low-temperature SOFC. The characteristics of electrodes are further discussed in terms of the composition and particle size of the starting powders.