Impregnated LaCo_0.3Fe_0.67Pd_0.03O_3-δ as a promising electrocatalyst for "symmetrical" intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells

The higher cost of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) compared with the cost of conventional energy conversion devices has greatly hindered their wide application. The symmetrical SOFCs that use identical material as both cathode and anode can greatly reduce the fabrication cost. The key point for the development of symmetrical SOFCs is to find a promising electrode catalyst. Herein, we report a LaCo_0.3Fe_0.67Pd_0.03O_3-δ (LCFPd) material with superior catalytic activity under both oxidizing and reducing atmospheres due to the slight Pd-doping. An LCFPd-infiltrated Sm_0.2Ce_0.8O_1.9 (SDC) electrode possesses competitive oxygen reduction activity compared with a Ba_0.5Sr_0.5Co_0.8Fe_0.2O_3-δ (BSCF) cathode and exhibits even better fuel oxidation activity than the state-of-the-art Ni-SDC composite anode. In addition, the superiority of LCFPd is demonstrated through the high and stable power outputs that can be obtained from a symmetrical SOFC with an LCFPd-based electrode as both cathode and anode.