Fabrication and Characterization of Composite LSCF-Ag Cathode for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells using Electron Beam Irradiation Process

A new process to fabricate a composite LSCF-Ag cathode material for SOFCs by electron beam (e-beam) irradiation process has been suggested for operation under intermediate temperature range of $600-700^{\circ}C$. A composite LSCF-Ag cathode with uniformly coated Ag nanoparticles on the surface of the LSCF material was prepared by a facile e-beam irradiation method at room temperature. The morphology of the composite LSCF-Ag material was analyzed using a TEM, FE-SEM, and EDS. The prepared composite LSCF-Ag material can play a significant role in increasing the electro-catalytic activities and reducing the operating temperature of SOFCs. The performance of a tubular single cell prepared using the composite LSCF-Ag cathode, YSZ electrolyte and a Ni/YSZ anode was evaluated at reduced operating temperature of $600-700^{\circ}C$. The micro-structure and chemical composition of the single cell were investigated using a FE-SEM and EDS.