Tailoring the structural and electrochemical properties of Sr0.5Ba0.5FeO3−δ electrodes via Ni doping for solid oxide fuel cells
摘要
The development of cobalt free electrodes with sufficient reaction kinetics and hydration capability is crucial for proton conducting solid oxide fuel cells. In this study, Sr0.5Ba0.5Fe1−xNixO3−δ (SBFNO, x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3) was investigated as a cobalt-free cathode through a systematic evaluation of its phase structure, oxygen vacancy characteristics, and electrochemical performance. Structural analysis confirmed the retention of the cubic perovskite structure up to x = 0.2, while secondary phases emerged at higher Ni contents. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed the mixed valence states of the transition metal cations (Fe4+/3+/2+ and Ni3+/2+), and the O1s spectra indicated an increased proportion of adsorbed oxygen for x = 0.2. Furthermore, oxygen temperature-programmed desorption (O2-TPD) measurements revealed the largest desorption area for this composition, indicating enhanced oxygen adsorption associated with oxygen vacancies. Among the investigated compositions, Sr0.5Ba0.5Fe0.8Ni0.2O3−δ exhibited the highest electrical conductivity, with area specific resistances of 0.25 Ω cm2 in ambient air and 0.12 Ω cm2 in wet air (3% H2O) at 700 °C. These findings suggest that optimal Ni doping may promote protonic conduction in proton conducting oxide fuel cells.