Investigation and optimization of high-valent Ta-doped SrFeO3–δ as air electrode for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells

Shanshan Jiang; Hao Qiu; Shaohua Xu; Xiaomin Xu; Jingjing Jiang; Beibei Xiao; Paulo Sérgio Barros Julião; Chao Su; Daifen Chen; Wei Zhou

doi:10.1007/s12613-024-2872-1

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Shanshan Jiang, Hao Qiu, Shaohua Xu, Xiaomin Xu, Jingjing Jiang, Beibei Xiao, Paulo Sérgio Barros Julião, Chao Su, Daifen Chen, and Wei Zhou, Investigation and optimization of high-valent Ta-doped SrFeO_3–δ as air electrode for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells, Int. J. Miner. Metall. Mater.,(2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-024-2872-1

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Shanshan Jiang, Hao Qiu, Shaohua Xu, Xiaomin Xu, Jingjing Jiang, Beibei Xiao, Paulo Sérgio Barros Julião, Chao Su, Daifen Chen, and Wei Zhou, Investigation and optimization of high-valent Ta-doped SrFeO3–δ as air electrode for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells, Int. J. Miner. Metall. Mater.,(2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-024-2872-1

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Research Article

Investigation and optimization of high-valent Ta-doped SrFeO_3–δ as air electrode for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells

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Corresponding authors:
Shanshan Jiang E-mail: jss522@just.edu.cn

Chao Su E-mail: chao.su@just.edu.cn
Received: 13 December 2023; Revised: 27 February 2024; Accepted: 5 March 2024; Available online: 7 March 2024

Abstract

Abstract

To explore highly active and thermomechanical stable air electrodes for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs), 10mol% Ta⁵⁺ doped in the B site of strontium ferrite perovskite oxide (SrTa_0.1Fe_0.9O_3–δ, STF) is investigated and optimized. The effects of Ta⁵⁺ doping on structure, transition metal reduction, oxygen nonstoichiometry, thermal expansion, and electrical performance are evaluated systematically. Via 10mol% Ta⁵⁺ doping, the thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) decreased from 34.1 × 10^–6 (SrFeO_3–δ) to 14.6 × 10^–6 K^–1 (STF), which is near the TEC of electrolyte (13.3 × 10^–6 K^–1 for Sm_0.2Ce_0.8O_1.9, SDC), indicates excellent thermomechanical compatibility. At 550–750°C, STF shows superior oxygen vacancy concentrations (0.262 to 0.331), which is critical in the oxygen-reduction reaction (ORR). Oxygen temperature-programmed desorption (O₂-TPD) indicated the thermal reduction onset temperature of iron ion is around 420°C, which matched well with the inflection points on the thermos-gravimetric analysis and electrical conductivity curves. At 600°C, the STF electrode shows area-specific resistance (ASR) of 0.152 Ω·cm² and peak power density (PPD) of 749 mW·cm^–2. ORR activity of STF was further improved by introducing 30wt% Sm_0.2Ce_0.8O_1.9 (SDC) powder, STF+SDC composite cathode achieving outstanding ASR value of 0.115 Ω·cm² at 600°C, even comparable with benchmark cobalt-containing cathode, Ba_0.5Sr_0.5Co_0.8Fe_0.2O_3–δ (BSCF). Distribution of relaxation time (DRT) analysis revealed that the oxygen surface exchange and bulk diffusion were improved by forming a composite cathode. At 650°C, STF+SDC composite cathode achieving an outstanding PPD of 1117 mW·cm^–2. The excellent results suggest that STF and STF+SDC are promising air electrodes for IT-SOFCs.
- strontium ferrite-based perovskite;
- Ta doping;
- composite cathode;
- intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells

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