Synthesis and properties of new cathode material Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3-σ

Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3-sigma(BSCF), a new cathode material for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), was synthesized by polyacrylicacid (PAA) method. The lattice structures of samples calcined at different temperatures were characterized by XRD. Shrinkage, porosity and pore size of the porous BSCF as a function of sintering temperature were investigated. It was found that the cubic perovskite structure could be formed after calcination at 800 degrees C for 2 h, but not well crystallized as seen from some unknown phases, and the pure cubic perovskite structure was formed after calcination at 1 150 degrees C for 2 h. The particle size of BSCF was less than 1 similar to 2 mu m. The shrinkage of the porous BSCF increased with sintering temperature, but the opposite was true for the porosity. After sintering at 1 100 CC for 4 It, the porous BSCF was still in an appropriate structure, with porosity of 29% and electrical conductivity above 400 S(.)cm(-1).