Enhanced catalytic activity and CO2 tolerance of La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3-δ cathode for solid oxide fuel cells via incorporation of Ce0.8Pr0.2O1.9 nanosheets

Advancing solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) significantly relies on the development of cathode materials that exhibit both high performance and stability. This study introduces a novel heterostructure composite cathode by combining La 0.6 Sr 0.4 Co 0.2 Fe 0.8 O 3- δ (LSCF) particles with Ce 0.8 Pr 0.2 O 1.9 (CPO) nanosheets through hydrothermal synthesis. The LSCF-CPO composite demonstrates remarkable enhancements in both catalytic activity and CO 2 resistance. The distinctive nanosheet morphology of CPO and the extensive heterointerfaces facilitate superior charge transfer and accelerate the processes of oxygen adsorption and dissociation. The incorporation of CPO nanosheets reduces the thermal expansion of LSCF and alters the oxygen ion transport properties, thereby establishing a three-dimensional network for enhanced ion conduction. At 750 °C, the single cell using the LSCF-10CPO cathode achieves a remarkable peak power density of 1179 mW cm −2 , representing a notable 48 % enhancement over the single-phase LSCF. Additionally, the LSCF-10CPO exhibits exceptional CO 2 tolerance. This research offers valuable insights into the design of next-generation SOFC cathodes with enhanced performance and stability, paving the way for future advancements in energy technology.