Novel nano-network cathodes for solid oxide fuel cells

A novel nano-network of Sm0.5Sr0.5CoO3−δ (SSC) is successfully fabricated as the cathodes for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) operated at 500–600 °C. The cathode is composed of SSC nanowires formed from nanobeads of less than 50 nm thus exhibiting high surface area and porosity, forming straight path for oxygen ion and electron transportation, resulting in high three-phase boundaries, and consequently showing remarkably high electrode performance. An anode-supported cell with the nano-network cathode demonstrates a peak power density of 0.44 W cm−2 at 500 °C and displays exceptional performance with cell operating time. The result suggests a new direction to significantly improve the SOFC performance.