Degradation Mechanisms of La–Sr–Co–Fe–O[sub 3] SOFC Cathodes

Abstract

The long-term stability of anode-supported yttria-stabilized zirconia electrolyte solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) utilizing (LSCF-6428) cathodes (incorporating cathode-electrolyte interlayers) was assessed. Specimens tested for at and indicated power degradation. While scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis indicated no obvious microstructural or chemical phenomena that could explain the high degradation, X-ray photon spectroscopy revealed that enrichment of Sr at the cathode-electrolyte and cathode-current collector interfaces was at least partially responsible for the observed degradation.