Ismariza Ismail, Nurul Waheeda Mazlan, Lidyayatty Abdul Malik, Oskar Hasdinor Hassan, Abdul Mutalib Md Jani and Nafisah Osman
Keywords: Cathode, button cell, proton-conducting fuel cell, electrochemical performance.
Abstract: A key obstacle to the practical operation of proton conducting fuel cell (PCFC) is the development of high-performance cathode materials at intermediate temperature of 500-800oC. In this study, we report the fabrication and performance of LSCF|BCZY|LSCF prepared by two-step modification processes which are (a) microstructure modification of LSCF by application of ethylene glycol as a dispersing agent during the synthesizing process and (b) compositional modification by introducing a small amount of proton conducting phase to extend the triple phase boundary thus accelerate the electrochemical activity of the cathodes. The electrochemical performances of the LSCF-based cathode after each modification process were monitored by an electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The area specific resistance (ASR) of pristine LSCF cathode, modified LSCF cathode (LSCFEG) and composite cathode (LB30) measured at 600oC in the humidified air are 9.74, 1.31 and 0.47 Ω.cm2, respectively. The LSCF-based button cell was found to exhibit a superior performance after undergoes the modification processes (LB30 > LSCFEG > pristine LSCF), thus proven its great potential as a promising PCFC cathode.