A novel Sc-doped La0.6Sr0.4CoO3−δ cathode for proton ceramic fuel cells

The proton ceramic fuel cell (PCFC) is a cutting-edge technology for achieving carbon-free and efficient energy conversion. It has garnered significant attention in the clean energy sector due to its environmental adaptability and fuel compatibility in the low to medium temperature range of 500 to 700 °C. The intrinsic properties of cathode materials significantly affect the electrochemical performance of PCFC. In this study, a novel Sc-doped La 0.6 Sr 0.4 CoO 3−δ cathode was designed and synthesized using the sol–gel method, and its electrochemical performance in the PCFC was systematically investigated. Test results under hydrogen fuel conditions demonstrated that the single cell using the La 0.6 Sr 0.4 Sc 0.4 Co 0.6 O 3−δ cathode exhibited a respectable power output capability at 700 °C, achieving a peak power density (PPD) of 556 mW cm −2 and polarization impedance of 0.217 Ω cm 2 . Notably, the cell exhibited a performance degradation rate as low as 0.013% h −1 after 100 h of operation at a constant current discharge of 342 mA cm −2 , with the open-circuit voltage and PPD maintaining 98.5% and 107% of their initial values, respectively. This study provides valuable reference for the design of perovskite cathodes for PCFC.