CoOX composite Pr0.4Sr0.6Co0.2Fe0.8O3-δ perovskite was used to obtain an IT-SOFC cathode with high electrocatalytic activity

The advancement and application of mesophilic solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs) rely heavily on enhancing cathode materials to achieve greater efficiency. In this paper, Pr0.4Sr0.6Co0.2Fe0.8O3-δ (PSFC) and transition metal oxide CoOx were selected as cathode materials, which not only combined the high catalytic activity of Pr6O11 but also took advantage of the structural stability and economy of Fe-based perovskite. The samples underwent analysis using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), and X energy dispersion spectrometer (EDS) for structural examination. The electrochemical workstation was used to test the conductivity of the material and the stability of the cell. The results indicate that an appropriate amount of CoOX composite can effectively enhance the level of oxygen vacancies, thereby enhancing the ORR activity of the cathode. Among these composites, Pr0.4Sr0.6Co0.2Fe0.8O3-δ-CoOx-I exhibits the fastest rate of oxygen exchange at the surface and the best electrochemical performance. At 700 °C, the polarization resistance ASR of Pr0.4Sr0.6Co0.2Fe0.8O3-δ-CoOx-I is 0.0749 Ω cm2; In single-cell fuel mode with NiO-YSZ as anode, YSZ electrolyte, and GDC as cell layer, the peak power density (PDD) is 0.97W cm−2. The PSCF-CoOx composite cathode holds promise as a high electrocatalytic active material for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs).