Preparation of La_0.6Ba_0.4Co_0.2Fe_0.8O₃ (LBCF) Nanoceramic Cathode Powders by Sol-Gel Process for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) Application

Y. M. Al-Yousef, M. Ghouse

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DOI: 10.4236/epe.2011.33049                

Abstract

The La_0.6Ba_0.4Co_0.2Fe_0.8O₃ (LBCF) nano ceramic powders were prepared by Sol-Gel process using nitrate based chemicals for SOFC applications since these powders are considered to be more promising cathode materials for SOFC. Citric acid was used as a chelant agent and ethylene glycol as a dispersant. The powders were calcined at 650^oC/6 h, 900^oC/3 h in air using Thermolyne 47,900 furnace. These powders were charac terized by SEM/EDS, XRD and Porosimetry techniques. The SEM images indicate that the particle sizes of the LBCF powders are in the range of 50 - 200 nm. The LBCF perovskite phases are seen from the XRD patterns. From XRD Line broadening technique, the average particle size for the powders (as prepared and calcined at 650^oC/6 h and 900^oC/3 h) were found to be around 12.97 nm, 22.24 nm and 26 nm respectively. The surface area of the LBCF powders for the as prepared and calcined at 650^oC were found to be 28.92 and 19.54 m²/g respectively.

Keywords

XRD, SEM/EDS, La_0.6Ba_0.4Co_0.2Fe_0.8O₃ (LBCF)

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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