Abstract
Cobalt-free $La_xSr_{4-x}Fe_6O_{13}$ ($0{\leq}x{\leq}2$) oxide have been synthesized and investigated as a potential cathode material for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). $Sr_4Fe_6O_{13}$ consists of alternating perovskite layers ($Sr_4Fe_2O_8$) containing iron cations in octahedral oxygen coordination and $Fe_4O_5$ layers where iron cations have 5-fold coordination of two types-square pyramids and trigonal bipyramids. Our preliminary electrochemical testes of pristine $Sr_4Fe_6O_{13}$ show a rather high area specific resistance ($0.47{\Omega}cm^2$ at $700^{\circ}C$) for ~20 ${\mu}m$ thick layers with CGO electrolyte. The electrochemical performances are improved by La addition up to x=1 ($La_1Sr_3Fe_6O_{13}$, $0.06{\Omega}cm^2$ at $700^{\circ}C$). In addition, thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) values of $La_1Sr_3Fe_6O_{13}$ specimen demonstrated $15.1{\times}10^{-6}\;^{\circ}C^{-1}$ in the range of 25-900$^{\circ}C$, which provides good thermal expansion compatibility with the CGO electrolyte. An electrolyte supported (300-${\mu}m$-thick) single-cell configuration of $La_1Sr_3Fe_6O_{13}$/CGO/Ni-CGO delivered a maximum power density of 584 $mWcm^{-2}$ at $700^{\circ}C$. In addition, an anode supported single cell by YSZ electrolyte (10-${\mu}m$-thick) with a porous CGO interlayer between the cathode and the electrolyte to avoid undesired interfacial reactions exhibited 1,517 $mWcm^{-2}$ at $800^{\circ}C$. The unique composition of $La_1Sr_3Fe_6O_{13}$ with low thermal expansion coefficient and higher electrochemical properties could be a good cathode candidate for intermediate temperature SOFCs with CGO and YSZ electrolyte.
(KAIST)