Chemical compatibility study of BSCF cathode materials with proton-conducting BCY/BCZY/BZY electrolytes

Ba 0.5 Sr 0.5 Co 1−x Fe x O 3−δ (BSCF) is a well-recognized cathode material for IT-SOFC. In this work, Ba 0.5 Sr 0.5 Co 1−x Fe x O 3−δ (BSCF) where x = 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 compositions were synthesized by gel-combustion method using glycine as a fuel. Powder X-ray diffraction confirms the formation of single phase for all the compositions. As we are looking for the application of BSCF cathode for proton-conducting SOFCs, compatibility studies were made with BaCe 0.8 Y 0.2 O 3−δ (BCY), BaCe 0.4 Zr 0.4 Y 0.2 O 3−δ (BCZY) and BaZr 0.8 Y 0.2 O 3−δ (BZY) electrolytes which are known to have good proton-conducting properties at elevated temperatures. Ba 0.5 Sr 0.5 Co 0.4 Fe 0.6 O 3−δ (BSC4F6) and Ba 0.5 Sr 0.5 Co 0.2 Fe 0.8 O 3−δ (BSC2F8) compositions showed good chemical compatibility with selected electrolyte materials at cell fabrication as well as cell operating temperature making them an appropriate cathode material. Electrical property of all the BSCF compositions was measured in air up to 1073 K by four-probe dc technique. The results showed very little effect of Fe substitution on electrical properties.