PROPERTIES OF SAMARIUM STRONTIUM COBALT OXIDE BASED COMPOSITE CATHODE WITH DIFFERENT ELECTROLYTES FOR INTERMEDIATE TEMPERATURE SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL: A SHORT REVIEW

Abstract

Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is a promising technology for energy conversion efficiency. Electrochemical processes convert the chemical energy of a variety of substances into direct current power. Typically, these reactions occur at temperatures between 400 and 1000 °C. In recent years, a substantial quantity of research has been conducted on intermediate temperature SOFCs (IT-SOFCs), with a particular emphasis on the cathodes. However, the effect of electrolyte on composite cathodes has not been studied as thoroughly. Current SOFC research focuses on enhancing cell performance by decreasing operating temperature. It is crucial in this context to analyze the efficacy of various electrolytes. Gadolinium-doped ceria (GDC) and samarium-doped zirconia (SDC) are two such electrolytes that can be coupled with samarium strontium cobalt oxide (SSC) cathodes. In SSC-based cathodes, the electrolyte material strengthens the triple phase boundary, thereby enhancing cell performance. Chemically compatible with altered ceria electrolyte materials, SSC is appropriate for SOFCs operating at intermediate temperatures. Specifically, SSC nanofiber-GDC electrolyte composite cathodes exhibit superior thermal stability. In addition, their cathode polarization resistance at 650 °C is only 0.024 cm2. This review indicates that perovskite SSC is a formidable candidate for use in IT-SOFCs. To optimize cell efficacy, however, additional research is required. This research should center on the chemical, physical, and electrochemical compatibility of cathode materials. In conclusion, the future of SOFCs depends on the optimization of these factors, and the potential of SSC-based cathodes in this sector is an exciting prospect.