Characterization of A-Site doped PrBaCo2O5+δ perovskites as cathode materials for IT-SOFCs

Creating highly efficient and durable cathodes persists as a formidable task in the realm of Intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs). Hence, we present a double perovskite oxide, Pr_0.6Sr_0.4BaCo₂O_5+δ (PS_0.4BC), and its electrocatalytic activity is thoroughly investigated. The XRD test is carried out and a notable transformation in the phase structure is observed upon the introduction of Sr²⁺ ions into the PBC matrix. That is, the phase structure of the material changes from double perovskite structure to single perovskite structure. Through the TG and TEC test that the introduction of Sr²⁺ ions into the lattice can create additional sites for oxygen vacancy formation and reduce TEC values. Further verify that Sr doping can enhance the concentration of oxygen vacancies of the material. The PS_0.4BC cathode material exhibits remarkably low polarization resistance, achieving an impressive value of 0.027 Ω cm² at an operating temperature of 800 °C. Oxygen partial pressure test shows that as the oxygen partial pressure decreases, there is a notable increase in impedance, particularly evident in the low frequency region of the Nyquist plots. This indicates that the oxygen content has obvious effects on the low-frequency processes. When the oxygen partial pressure exceeds 0.05 atm, the oxygen adsorption-dissociation and diffusion process is the rate-limiting step in the ORR. However, when the oxygen partial pressure is less than 0.05 atm, the formation of lattice oxygen through the combination of oxygen ions and oxygen vacancies processes is the rate-limiting step. Compared PBC cathode material, the more pronounced changes in the high frequency arc of the PS_0.4BC cathode at the same oxygen content. It shows that Sr doping significantly changes the high frequency process. After doping, the oxygen vacancy concentration increases, which facilitates the occurrence of the charge transfer process at high frequency.