Effect of anode firing on the performance of lanthanum and nickel co-doped SrTiO3 (La0.2Sr0.8Ti0.9Ni0.1O3-δ) anode of solid oxide fuel cell

Perovskite oxides have potential for use as alternative anode materials in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) due to stability in anode atmosphere; donor-doped SrTiO3 (e.g., La0.2Sr0.8TiO3-delta) is a good candidate for this purpose. Electro-catalytic nanoparticles can be produced in oxide anodes by the ex-solution method, e.g., by incorporating Ni into a perovskite oxide in air, then reducing the oxide in H-2 atmosphere. In this study, we varied the temperature (1100, 1250 degrees C) and atmosphere (air, H-2) of La0.2Sr0.8Ti0.1Ni0.1O3-delta (LSTN) anode firing to control the degree of Ni ex-solution and microstructure. LSTN fired at 1250 degrees C in H-2 showed the best anodic performance for scandia-stabilized zirconia (ScSZ) electrolyte-supported cells in H-2 and CH4 fuels due to the favorable microstructure and Ni ex-solution. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.