Cobalt-free polycrystalline Ba_0.95La_0.05FeO _3-δ thin films as cathodes for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells

Ba_0.95La_0.05FeO_3-δ (BLF) thin films as electrodes for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells are prepared on single-crystal yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) substrates by pulsed laser deposition. The phase structure, surface morphology and roughness of the BLF thin films are characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy is used to analyze the compositions of the deposited thin film and the chemical state of transition metal. The dense thin film exhibits a polycrystalline perovskite structure with a low surface roughness and a high oxygen vacancy concentration on the surface. Ag (paste or strip) and Au (strip) are applied on both surfaces of the symmetric cells as current collectors to evaluate electrochemical performance of the thin films. The electrode polarization resistances of the symmetric cells are found to be lower than those of most cobalt-free thin-film electrodes, e.g., 0.437 Ω cm² at 700 C and 0.21 atm. The oxygen reduction reaction mechanism of the BLF cathode in symmetric cells is studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy thanks to the equivalent fitting analysis. Both the oxygen surface exchange reaction and charge transfer are shown to determine the overall oxygen reduction reaction.