Title of article :
Synthesis and investigation on microstructure and electrical conductivity of Ruddlesden-Popper phase, La1.9Sr0.1Ni0.7Cu0.3O4 (LSNC), as cathode material for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells
Author/Authors :
Shirani-Faradonbeh, H. Department of Materials Science and Engineering - School of Engineering, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran , Paydar, S. Department of Materials Science and Engineering - School of Engineering, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran , Gholaminezad, I. School of Mechanical Engineering - Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran , Imanlou, S. Department of Materials Science and Engineering - School of Engineering, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran , Paydar, M.H. Department of Materials Science and Engineering - School of Engineering, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
Abstract :
In the present work, a Ruddlesden-Popper oxide, La1.9Sr0.1Ni0.7Cu0.3O4 (LSNC),
has been synthesized by solid state reaction for Intermediate-Temperature Solid
Oxide Fuel Cells (IT-SOFCs) applications. To investigate the effect of sintering
temperature on the microstructure and electrical properties, the LSNC cathode
samples were fired in the temperature range of 1000–1300 °C. The crystal structure
and microstructures of the synthesized and fired samples were studied by XRD
and SEM, respectively. The electrical conductivity of the monolithic electrodes
is investigated experimentally through the four-probe method as a function of
temperature in the range of 300 – 800 oC. Our investigation revealed that the
LSNC material behaves like semiconductor materials; the conductivity increases
by increasing the temperature up to a specific temperature but then decreases with
further temperature increases. It has also been proven that an increase in sintering
temperature leads to increasing electrical conductivity. The maximum total
electrical conductivity of 67.57 S cm−1 at 450 °C was recorded for pure LSNC
material sintered at 1300 °C.
