Lanthanum-Ferrite based cathode: Impedance data interpretation via complex nonlinear least-squares and distribution of relaxation times analyses

• Published in: CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL
• Main Authors: Safian, Suhaida Dila; Abd Malek, Nurul Izzati; Malik, Lidyayatty Abdul; Azad, Abul K.; Luengchavanon, Montri; Tseng, Chung Jen; Osman, Nafisah
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: ELSEVIER SCI LTD 2024
• Subjects: Materials Science
• Online Access: https://www-webofscience-com.uitm.idm.oclc.org/wos/woscc/full-record/WOS:001308140900001
• ISSN: 0272-8842; 1873-3956
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ceramint.2024.05.446

Lanthanum Strontium Cobalt Ferrite Oxide (LaSrCoFeO3) has been widely used as cathode material for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells at the temperature of 500-800 degrees C. At this temperature range, understanding the electrochemical behavior which is commonly analyzed by complex nonlinear least-squares (CNLS) analysis is very crucial in improving the cathode's performance. However, this analysis shows some limitations in interpreting the electrochemical processes in detail, particularly at the electrode-electrolyte interface. Hence, this study is conducted to compare the electrochemical impedance data analyses by CNLS and the distribution of relaxation times (DRT) of a fabricated LaSrCoFe|BCZY|LaSrCoFe (LaSrCoFe--La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3 and BCZY=BaCe0.54Zr0.36Y0.1O2.95) symmetrical cell. Impedance data of the cell is collected at T = 800 degrees C at two different stabilization times and to further enhance the analysis process, the impedance data of the cell at measurement temperatures of 700 C and 750 C are also included. In a Nyquist plot, the cell exhibits depressed semi-circles that represent a few processes occurring at the interface. The DRT analysis is more precise and easily reveals the semi-circles consisting of four different sub-processes (represented by four peaks) than CNLS (represented by four impedance arcs). The extracted responses from both analyses correspond to the oxygen reduction reactions that follow the Adler-Lane-Steele model. The stabilized symmetrical cells for respective 34 h and 17 h show an area-specific resistance (ASR) of (i) 0.22 Omega cm2 and 0.30 Omega cm2 (by CNLS) and (ii) 0.20 Omega cm2 and 0.26 Omega cm2 (by DRT). In addition, the ASR of the cell at T = 700 degrees C and T = 750 degrees C after being stabilized for 34 h is (iii) 0.71 Omega cm2 and 0.40 Omega cm2 (by CNLS) and (iv) 0.70 Omega cm2 and 0.44 Omega cm2 (by DRT), accordingly. Conversely, the cell's microstructure is not affected by the applied stabilization periods as observed by a scanning electron microscope.