Property change of a LaNi0.6Fe0.4O3 cathode in the initial current loading process and the influence of a ceria interlayer

We prepared single cells with a LaNi0.6Fe0.4O3 (LNF) cathode and a 0.89ZrO2–0.10Sc2O3–0.01Al2O3 (SASZ) electrolyte sheet with a Ce0.8Sm0.2O2 (SDC) interlayer deposited by the spin-coating an organometallic solution. We investigated the influence of this SDC interlayer on the initial cathode properties. We found that the SDC interlayer as thin as 30 nm effectively reduces the initial cathode interface resistance, improves the initial cathode performance, and shortens the current loading time needed to reach a steady operating condition when the cathode sintering temperature is 1100°C or lower. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the migration of Zr atoms from the SASZ electrolyte to the SDC interlayer is not significant when the sintering temperature is 1100°C or lower. However, the Zr atoms penetrated the spin-coated SDC interlayer and reacted with the LNF to form La2Zr2O7,when the sintering temperature is 1150°C or higher.