Preparation and characterization of nano-tube and nano-rod structured La_0.8Sr_0.2MnO_3-δ/Zr_0.92Y _0.08O₂ composite cathodes for solid oxide fuel cells

In this work, La_0.8Sr_0.2MnO_3-δ/ Zr_0.92Y_0.08O₂ (LSM/YSZ) composite nano-tubes are co-synthesized by a pore wetting technique as a cathode material for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). A fast-firing method is introduced to improve the contact between the composite cathode and the YSZ electrolyte, as well as to retain the original nano-tube structure. The morphology and structure studies indicate that the LSM/YSZ composite cathodes which undergo a 1100 °C heat treatment present nano-tube and nano-rod structure (with heating and cooling rates of 200 and 100 °C min^-1). Area specific resistance (ASR) of the composite cathodes is characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The as-prepared nanostructured composite cathode shows low ASR values, which is mainly due to small grain size, homogeneous particle distribution and fine pore structure of the material.