Sr and Mn co-doping PrBaFe2O5+δ optimizes the electrochemical performance and stability of solid oxide fuel cell cathode

Developing cobalt-free cathode with high stability and high electrochemical activity is very important for constructing low-cost, high-performance solid oxide fuel cells. Layered perovskite PrBaFe2O5+δ (PBF) is known to ave important magnetic, oxygen exchange kinetic and electrochemical properties. In this study, Sr and Mn co-doping A-site and B-site of PrBa0.5Sr0.5Fe1.6Mn0.4O5+δ (PBSFM) electrode was synthesized and characterized its properties. The first-principles calculation shows that Sr and Mn co-doped PBSFM decreases the oxygen vacancy energy, improves the overlap of oxygen-metal bond hybridization and structural stability. The polarization resistance (Rp) of PBSFM decreases from 0.22 to 0.077 Ω cm2 at 700 °C. At 800 °C, the power density of fuel cell reaches 674 mW cm−2 using hydrogen as fuel. In addition, Sr and Mn co-doped PBSFM significantly improves impedance and single cell stability under operating conditions. © 2024