Synthesis and Characterization of BSCFZ Cathode for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell

Abstract

The BSCFZ, Barium Strontium Cobalt Iron Zirconate{Ba0.5Sr0.5(CO0.8 Fe0.2)1-xZrxO3-?} [Where ? is the deficiency of oxygen and x = 0, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20)], powders have been synthesized by sol-gel process using nitrate based powdered chemicals for SOFC applications as these powders are more useful for cathodes and anodes for SOFCs since these powders are considered to be more promising cathode materials for SOFC.Ionic conduction, Adsorption and desorption rates are the major processes that control the electrode reactions. They contribute to theoverpotential. To obtain thelow potential cathodematerials suitable for electrolytes, Sol-Gel methodisusedandnanopowdersareprepared.ThechelatingagentusedisAceticacid,Ethylene glycol & Ammoniaasdispersant.Thesepowderswerekept forcalcinationsat 9000C for16hours andat 10500Cforabout 6hoursincruciblesofhighaluminain furnace. Thesewerecharacterized by XRD; SEM with EDAX, Densities, TGA, DTA, FTIR and conductivities.XRD results proved the formation of Perovskite phase at all calcination temperatures. From SEM, it is found that for some samples, there is presence of extreme porous particlesin nano sizes and conductivities, densities are studied.

Introduction

This study focuses on the development and characterization of zirconium-doped BSCF (Ba?.?Sr?.?(Co?.?Fe?.?)???Zr?O?−δ) cathode materials for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). Doping with zirconium is aimed at improving ionic conductivity, stability, and overall cathode performance at intermediate temperatures.

The materials were synthesized using the sol-gel method with varying Zr concentrations (x = 0, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2), followed by high-temperature calcination and sintering. Experimental analysis showed high density (~97–98%) and good porosity, which are important for oxygen diffusion in SOFC cathodes.

Key characterization findings:

• XRD analysis confirmed a cubic perovskite structure, with improved crystallinity and slight lattice shrinkage as Zr concentration increased.
• SEM analysis revealed uniform, nano-sized grains (~350–370 nm), good densification, and visible porosity, beneficial for cathode performance.
• EDAX results verified correct elemental composition without impurities.
• TGA/DTA analysis indicated high thermal stability, with decomposition stages corresponding to moisture, nitrates, and impurities removal; optimal sintering temperature is above 800°C.
• FTIR analysis confirmed zirconium oxide formation and showed improved crystallinity and structural stability with increased Zr doping.
• Impedance studies showed that electrical conductivity increases with temperature, while resistance decreases; Zr doping enhances ionic conductivity, though electronic conductivity dominates at higher temperatures.

Conclusion

The moderate doping of Zr in BaSrCoFeO3 cathodes has improved the ionic conductivity at high temperatures by stabilizing the cubic perovskite structure indirectly by optimizing the oxygen vacancy distribution, enhancing oxygen diffusion pathways. It also reduced the Co/Fe redox activity can limitthe charge compensation and promising materials for mixed ionic electronic conductivity in cathodes of IT-SOFC.

References

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Copyright © 2026 Mr. D. Rama Krishna Sharma, Dr. P. Vijay Bhaskar Rao. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.