Preparation and Characterization of Nanocomposite Perovskite Cathode Materials La0.3Sr0.7Fe0.4Ti0.6O3-δ (LSFT) for Low-Temperature SOFCs with Incorporation of Graphene Oxide (GO)

Abstract

The porous and mixed ionic electronic cathode conductor plays a vital role in the efficient working of low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells. Perovskite composite cathode material La_0.3Sr_0.7Fe_0.4Ti_0.6O_3-δ (LSFT) is synthesized using the sol–gel method. Graphene oxide (GO) is integrated in 1 and 1.5 wt.% into the perovskite LSFT cathode to use as a cathode for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cell (LT-SOFC). Crystal structure analysis is studied by XRD and the crystalline size of samples is determined in the range of 103–73 nm. SEM analysis is used to characterize homogeneous and porous morphology. The FTIR spectral analysis is examined for proposed nanocomposite cathode materials. The electrical conductivities are carried out by four probe method in air atmosphere in the temperature range 300–600 °C and enhanced conductivity is obtained 7 Scm⁻¹ for LSFT-1.5 wt.% GO sample. For the same sample, a minimum value of area-specific resistance (ASR) of 0.02 Ωcm² is obtained. The performance of three-layer fuel cells is tested by supplying H₂ fueled at the anode and oxygen at the cathode terminal of the cell and peak power density is determined to be 362 mWcm⁻² for GO incorporated fuel cell. The prepared cathode can be proposed as a potential candidate for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells.