Effect of Sr doping on structural, electrical and electrochemical properties of Nd2CuO4 for IT-SOFC application

Mixed ionic–electronic conducting oxides of Nd2 − xSrxCuO4 − δ for varying values of x = 0.0, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.15, were synthesized by combusting mixed precursor materials under microwave heating. Solid solubility of Sr up to x = 0.1 was established by X-ray powder diffraction. The dc conductivity increases with increase in Sr content in Nd2CuO4. The maximum dc conductivity σ = 199 S cm− 1 at a selected temperature of 700 °C was obtained when x = 0.1. The lowest area specific resistance (ASR = 0.32 Ω cm2) coincides with highest conducting Nd1.9Sr0.1CuO4 − δ. The catalytic activity of Nd2 − xSrxCuO4 − δ (x = 0, 0.05 and 0.1) was established from an EIS study.