Crystal Structure and Ionic Conductivity Study of Ni- Doped BSCF Cathode for Low Temperature SOFCS

Nickel doped BSCF (Ba0.5Sr0.5Co1-xFe0.6NixO3-δ (BSCFNi); x=0.05, 0.1, 0.15, and 0.2) cathode materials were synthesized using sol-gel citrate method for low temperature (300-500oC) Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) application. The nanopowders of BSCFNi were then calcinated at various temperatures in the range of 600-1000oC. The nanopowders were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). A cubic perovskite structure was observed in the X-ray diffraction measurements. The average crystallite size of the nanopowder obtained varies between 40-60 nm. DSC result, measured in the temperature range of 200-600oC, shows no phase transition. Ionic conductivity of the BSCFNi for varying concentration of nickel was measured in the temperature range of 200 oC to 500 oC. An emphasis is made on the effect of Ni doping on these properties.