Preparation and characterization of La0.6Sr0.4Fe0.8Mn0.2O3-δ cathode of intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells

The aim of this study is to investigate the  properties of the  La0.6Sr0.4Fe0.8Mn0.2O3-δ (LSFM)compound as cathode of intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells. The LSFM compound was synthesized by the  sol-gel process. Thestructural, electrical and electrochemical properties of LSFMwere tested via X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high temperature four-probe resistivity measurement (HTRM) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The X-ray pattern showed  that sample had a Rhombohedra structure and space group symmetry of LSFM is R-3c; also, the LSFM had  good chemical compatibility with YSZ electrolyte. The conductivity of the sample was increased with raising the temperature. The maximum electrical conductivities for the LSFM compound were  equal to  3.64 S.cm-1 in air at 739 ℃. The cathode area specific resistance of LSFM was 1.69, 1.01, 0.63, 0.52, and 0.45 Ω cm2 at 600, 650, 700, 750, and 800 ℃, respectively