Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Comparison of the oxygen reduction mechanisms in a GBCO–SDC-impregnated cathode and a GBCO cathode

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Journal of Applied Electrochemistry Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this paper, a GdBaCo2O5+δ–Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9 (GBCO–SDC) composite cathode was prepared by the impregnation method with GdBaCo2O5+δ (GBCO) as the impregnating phase and Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9 (SDC) as the cathode skeleton. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed a good chemical compatibility between GBCO and SDC, and there were no obvious impurities at high temperature. The particle size of GBCO was approximately 80 nm. The continuous GBCO phase was deposited on the surface of porous SDC backbones, which greatly improved the electrochemical activity of the cathode. The polarization resistance of GBCO–SDC-impregnated cathode was 0.50 Ω cm2 at 600 °C, which was only ~ 28.6% of that of pure GBCO cathode. The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at GBCO cathode mainly involved the adsorption–dissociation of oxygen molecules and charge-transfer process of oxygen atoms. The two ORR rate-controlling steps were the adsorption–dissociation process at 500–600 °C and the charge-transfer processes at 600–700 °C, respectively. The oxygen reduction reaction at GBCO–SDC-impregnated cathode mainly involved the diffusion of oxygen ions through the three phase boundaries and the charge transfer of oxygen atoms, in which the charge-transfer process was always the ORR rate-controlling step.

Graphic abstract

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Brus G, Iwai H, Mozdzierz M et al (2017) Combining structural, electrochemical, and numerical studies to investigate the relation between microstructure and the stack performance. J Appl Electrochem 47:979–989. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10800-017-1099-5

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Cepeda-Sanchez NM, Fuentes AF, Lopez-Cota FA, Rodriguez-Reyes M, Diaz-Guillen JA (2015) Mechanochemical synthesis and electrical properties of Gd2Hf2-xZrxO7 solid electrolytes for their use in SOFC’s. J Appl Electrochem 45:1231–1237. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10800-015-0828-x

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Wang C, Tomov RI, Mitchell-Williams TB, Kumar RV, Glowacki BA (2017) Inkjet printing infiltration of Ni-Gd:CeO2 anodes for low temperature solid oxide fuel cells. J Appl Electrochem 47:1227–1238. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10800-017-1114-x

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Giddey S, Badwal SPS, Kulkarni A, Munnings C (2012) A comprehensive review of direct carbon fuel cell technology. Prog Energy Combust Sci 38:360–399. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pecs.2012.01.003

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Yang JJ, Yan D, Huang W et al (2018) Improvement on durability and thermal cycle performance for solid oxide fuel cell stack with external manifold structure. Energy 149:903–913. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2018.02.072

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Zhao F, Wang ZY, Liu MF, Zhang L, Xia CR, Chen FL (2008) Novel nano-network cathodes for solid oxide fuel cells. J Power Sources 185:13–18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2008.07.022

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Kim JH, Manthiram A (2015) Layered LnBaCo(2)O(5+delta) perovskite cathodes for solid oxide fuel cells: an overview and perspective. J Mater Chem A 3:24195–24210. https://doi.org/10.1039/c5ta06212h

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Kim JH, Manthiram A (2008) LnBaCo(2)O(5+delta) oxides as cathodes for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells. J Electrochem Soc 155:B385–B390. https://doi.org/10.1149/1.2839028

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Zhang K, Ge L, Ran R, Shao ZP, Liu SM (2008) Synthesis, characterization and evaluation of cation-ordered LnBaCo(2)O(5+delta) as materials of oxygen permeation membranes and cathodes of SOFCs. Acta Mater 56:4876–4889. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actamat.2008.06.004

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Adler SB, Lane JA, Steele BCH (1996) Electrode kinetics of porous mixed-conducting oxygen electrodes. J Electrochem Soc 143:3554–3564. https://doi.org/10.1149/1.1837252

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Manthiram A, Kim JH, Kim YN, Lee KT (2011) Crystal chemistry and properties of mixed ionic-electronic conductors. J Electroceram 27:93–107. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10832-011-9635-x

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Zhou QJ, Wang F, Shen Y, He TM (2010) Performances of LnBaCo(2)O(5+x)-Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9 composite cathodes for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells. J Power Sources 195:2174–2181. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2009.10.062

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Jin FJ, Li JH, Wang Y et al (2018) Evaluation of Fe and Mn co-doped layered perovskite PrBaCo2/3Fe2/3Mn1/2O5+delta as a novel cathode for intermediate-temperature solid-oxide fuel cell. Ceram Int 44:22489–22496. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2018.09.018

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Fan LD, Zhu B, Su PC, He CX (2018) Nanomaterials and technologies for low temperature solid oxide fuel cells: recent advances, challenges and opportunities. Nano Energy 45:148–176. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nanoen.2017.12.044

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Ding D, Li XX, Lai SY, Gerdes K, Liu ML (2014) Enhancing SOFC cathode performance by surface modification through infiltration. Energy Environ Sci 7:552–575. https://doi.org/10.1039/c3ee42926a

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Vohs JM, Gorte RJ (2009) High-performance SOFC cathodes prepared by infiltration. Adv Mater 21:943–956. https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.200802428

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Wang Y, Zhang H, Chen FL, Xia CR (2012) Electrochemical characteristics of nano-structured PrBaCo2O5+x cathodes fabricated with ion impregnation process. J Power Sources 203:34–41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2011.11.069

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Xu HM, Zhang H, Chu AM (2016) An investigation of oxygen reduction mechanism in nano-sized LSCF-SDC composite cathodes. Int J Hydrog Energy 41:22415–22421. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2016.09.153

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Lee D, Lee I, Jeon Y, Song R (2005) Characterization of scandia stabilized zirconia prepared by glycine nitrate process and its performance as the electrolyte for IT-SOFC. Solid State Ion 176:1021–1025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssi.2005.01.004

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Wei B, Lu Z, Wei TS, Jia DC, Huang XQ, Zhang YH, Miao JP, Su WH (2011) Nanosized Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9 infiltrated GdBaCo2O5+delta cathodes for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells. Int J Hydrog Energy 36:6151–6159. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2011.02.061

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Chang AM, Skinner SJ, Kilner JA (2006) Electrical properties of GdBaCo2O5+x for ITSOFC applications. Solid State Ion 177:2009–2011. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssi.2006.05.047

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Ni Q, Chen H, Ge L, Yu SC, Guo LC (2017) Investigation of La1-xSmx-ySryCoO3-delta cathode for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells. J Power Sources 349:130–137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2017.03.037

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Li YH, Gemmen R, Liu XB (2010) Oxygen reduction and transportation mechanisms in solid oxide fuel cell cathodes. J Power Sources 195:3345–3358. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2009.12.062

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This study was based a Project Funded by the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, No. 30 Puzhu South Road, Nanjing, 211816, Jiangsu, China

    Yongxin Tan, Rong Wang, Xiaohu Hu, Huanhuan Zhang, Yu Lei, Sijia Zhu, Yifei Zheng, Xuejiao Xu & Hua Zhang

Authors
  1. Yongxin Tan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Rong Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Xiaohu Hu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Huanhuan Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Yu Lei
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Sijia Zhu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Yifei Zheng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Xuejiao Xu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Hua Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hua Zhang.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Tan, Y., Wang, R., Hu, X. et al. Comparison of the oxygen reduction mechanisms in a GBCO–SDC-impregnated cathode and a GBCO cathode. J Appl Electrochem 49, 1035–1041 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10800-019-01346-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10800-019-01346-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation