Nature and Functionality of La$_{0.58}$Sr$_{0.4}$Co$_{0.2}$Fe$_{0.8}$O$_{3-δ}$ / Gd$_{0.2}$Ce$_{0.8}$O$_{2-δ}$ / Y$_{0.16}$Zr$_{0.84}$O$_{2-δ}$ Interfaces in SOFCs

Interdiffusion phenomena and secondary phase formation at the interface La0.58Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3-δ (LSCF) / Gd0.2Ce0.8O2-δ (GDC) / Y0.16Zr0.84O2-δ (YSZ) are correlated to linear and non-linear losses in symmetrical and full SOFC cells. FIB/SEM (focussed ion beam / scanning electron microscopy) tomography is applied for determining the local distribution of the primary phases LSCF, GDC, and YSZ and elemental analysis via STEM/EDXS (scanning transmission electron microscopy / energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy) provides information on the secondary phase SrZrO3 (SZO) and the interdiffusion between GDC and YSZ (ID). This reveals the effect of GDC co-sintering temperature (varied from 1100°C to 1400°C), alongside the sintering of LSCF at 1080°C, on these multi-layered microstructures. Electrochemical impedance spectra on symmetrical cells show that the polarization resistance (ASRcat) of the cathode/electrolyte interface is pronouncedly affected by three orders of magnitude, changing the overall power density of anode supported SOFC single cells at 0.8V by as much as a factor of 20. In conclusion, the chemical composition of the ID has a tremendous impact on the electrochemical efficiency of the investigated LSCF/GDC/YSZ interface, and processing parameters of anode supported cells with LSCF cathode have to be carefully chosen for individual SOFC cell concepts.