Enhanced Chromium Tolerance of La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3-δ Cathode by BaO Infiltration

Chromium deposition and poisoning of cathodes is one of the most important degradation mechanisms of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). In this presentation, we will report the development of a BaO modified La_0.6Sr_0.4Co_0.2Fe_0.8O_3-δ (LSCF) cathode with substantial chromium tolerance, using EIS, SEM-EDS, XRD, XPS and ToF-SIMS. The BaO infiltration dramatically enhances the performance stability of LSCF in the presence of Fe-Cr interconnect. The infiltrated BaO nanoparticles inhibit the formation of SrCrO₄ by forming thermodynamically stable and conducive BaCrO₄, preventing the extraction of Sr at the A-site of LSCF perovskite structure and thus successfully mitigating the poisoning effect of Cr on the electrocatalytic activity and electrical conductivity of LSCF. This study offers a new and effective strategy to develop highly tolerant and resistant cathodes towards Cr contaminant for SOFCs.