Industrial-grade rare-earth and perovskite oxide for high-performance electrolyte layer-free fuel cell

In the present work, we report a composite of industrial-grade material LaCePr-oxide (LCP) and perovskite La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3−δ (LSCF) for advanced electrolyte layer-free fuel cells (EFFCs). The microstructure, morphology, and electrical properties of the LCP, LSCF, and LCP-LSCF composite were investigated and characterized by XRD, SEM, EDS, TEM, and EIS. Various ratios of LCP to LSCF in the composite were modulated to achieve balanced ionic and electronic conductivities. Fuel cell with an optimum ratio of 60 wt% LCP to 40 wt% LSCF reached the highest open circuit voltage (OCV) at 1.01 V and a maximum power density of 745 mW cm−2 at 575 °C, also displaying a good performance stability. The high performance is attributed to the interfacial mechanisms and electrode catalytic effects. The findings from the present study promote industrial-grade rare-earth oxide as a promising new material for innovative low temperature solid oxide fuel cell (LTSOFC) technology. •An industrial rare-earth oxide LCP was successfully applied to EFFC the first time.•EFFCs were assembled by mixed ion and electron conductive composites LCP-LSCF.•The EFFC exhibited considerable performances of 400–745 mW cm−2 at low temperature.