The EFFECT OF COPPER OXIDE ADDITION ON THE CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF BARIUM STRONTIUM COBALT FERRITE- SAMARIUM DOPED CERIA CARBONATE CATHODE FOR SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL APPLICATION

Muhammad Zul Idzham  Abdul Ghani; Hamimah  Abd.Rahman; Nurul Farhana  Abdul Rahman; Umira Asyikin  Yusop; Mohammad Fikrey  Roslan; Sufizar  Ahmad; Zolhafizi  Jaidi

Muhammad Zul Idzham Abdul Ghani Faculty of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, 86400 Parit Raja, Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia.
Hamimah Abd.Rahman Faculty of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, 86400 Parit Raja, Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia.
Nurul Farhana Abdul Rahman Faculty of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, 86400 Parit Raja, Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia.
Umira Asyikin Yusop Faculty of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, 86400 Parit Raja, Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia.
Mohammad Fikrey Roslan Faculty of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, 86400 Parit Raja, Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia.
Sufizar Ahmad Faculty of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, 86400 Parit Raja, Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia.
Zolhafizi Jaidi Faculty of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, 86400 Parit Raja, Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia.

Keywords: BSCF, cathode, copper oxide, SDCC, SOFC

Abstract

As a mixed oxygen ionic electronic conductor with high conductivity and exceptional catalytic activity for oxygen reduction and mobility, barium strontium cobalt ferrite (BSCF) is an excellent cathode for solid oxide fuel cells operating at intermediate temperatures. This composite cathode's ionic conductivity can be enhanced by increasing the electrode activity in oxygen reduction reactions, by adding certain catalyst materials. This study aims to determine how copper oxide (CuO) affects the BSCF-SDCC composite cathode. Wet ball milling was used to mix the powders, and were then calcined at 750 °C. The calcined BSCF-SDCC composite cathode powder was dry milled with the CuO at different weight percentages (1–5% wt%). After that, the powders were analyzed using a range of analytical methods. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to identify the phase and structure. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) were utilized for microstructure observation and element analysis., Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to analyze chemical bonds. The XRD measurements revealed the presence of secondary phases of 2θ at 29° and 46° in the BSCF-SDCC-CuO composite cathode powder. This condition can occur when the composite powder is blended using the ball milling method and is caused by an alkaline oxide reaction during the calcination process. FTIR studies showed a BSCF-SDCC-CuO bonding at 1421 cm-1 and 1423 cm-1, respectively, whereas an asymmetric stretching vibrations band is suggested at 1424 cm-1. FTIR results show the connection between the metal oxides and the composites. In addition, SEM analysis displays that as the composition of CuO increases, the percentage of porosity decreases. These findings displayed that the CuO addition improved the chemical properties of the BSCF-SDC composite cathode powders.