Development of lanthanum strontium manganite perovskite cathode materials of solid oxide fuel cells: a review

The high-temperature solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is the most efficient and environmentally friendly energy conversion technology to generate electricity from fuels such as hydrogen and natural gas as compared to the traditional thermal power generation plants. In the last 20–30 years, there has been significant progress in the materials development and stack technologies in SOFC. Among the electrode materials, lanthanum strontium manganite (LSM) perovskites, till today, are the most investigated and probably the most important electrode materials in SOFCs. The objective of this article is to review and update the development, understanding, and achievements of the LSM-based materials in SOFC. The structure, nonstoichiometry, defect model, and in particular the relation between the microstructure, their properties (electrical, thermal, mechanical, chemical, and interfacial), and electrochemical performance and performance stability are critically reviewed. Finally, challenges and prospects of LSM-based materials as cathodes for intermediate and low-temperature SOFCs are discussed.