A₂MO_4+δ Oxides: Flexible Electrode Materials for Solid Oxide Cells

Abstract

Until now, most cathode materials used in high temperature ceramic solid electrolyte oxide cells (SEOC) are perovskite-type MEIC compounds, AMO3-δ, showing oxygen sub-stoichiometry. Recently, a new family of overstoichiometric oxides, formulated A2MO4+δ with A = La, Nd, Pr, Sr and M = Ni, Cu, has been investigated. Due to their basic properties (large D* and k coefficients, high electrical conductivity), the nickelate compounds have been especially used in various applications. Nd2NiO4 and Pr2NiO4 exhibit very promising electrochemical properties down to temperature as low as 600{degree sign}C, as ITSOFC cathodes as well as PCFC cathodes (they are stable under moist air (3 -10 % H2O). In addition, encouraging cell tests (SOFC and PCFC) have been performed with both nickelates. Furthermore, these materials have been also used as HTSE anodes and first results show excellent performances. Thus, it appears that these materials show an extremely high flexibility for being used as air electrode in very different conditions in terms of oxygen partial pressure or/and water content. This is explained on the basis of structural features of these materials and the great ability of these compounds for accommodating the oxygen non-stoichiometry.