One-dimensional structured La^sub 0.6^Sr^sub 0.4^Co^sub 0.2^Fe^sub 0.8^O^sub 3-d^ - BaCe^sub 0.5^Zr^sub 0.35^Y^sub 0.15^O^sub 3-d^ composite cathode for protonic ceramic fuel cells

Advantages of ionic particle embedded fibrous cathodes have been reported in our previous studies. In this study, we apply this effective structure to protonic ceramic fuel cells. The BaCe0.5Zr0.35Y0.15O3−δ (BCZY) embedded La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3−δ (LSCF) was prepared by electrospinning using an LSCF precursor gel containing the synthesized BCZY nanopowder, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and metal nitrate sources. The obtained LSCF-BCZY fibers with well-developed perovskite structures were 90–150 nm in diameter. An anode-supported single cell composed of NiO–BCZY/BCZY/LSCF-BCZY fibrous composite cathode was fabricated, and its electrochemical analysis was performed. The maximum power densities were 537 and 239 mW/cm2 at 700 and 550 °C, respectively, which was ascribed to the excellent properties of the LSCF fibers with embedded BCZY particles such as a highly porous and continuous structure promoting mass transport and charge transfer reactions.