Analysis of impact of sintering temperature on microstructure of LSCF-SDC composite cathodes using nano-CT

Yong Guan; Xin Pan; Gang Liu; Zhiting Liang; Shan Chen; Xiaobo Zhang; Ying Xiong; Yangchao Tian; Changrong Xia

doi:10.1117/12.2026149

26 September 2013 Analysis of impact of sintering temperature on microstructure of LSCF-SDC composite cathodes using nano-CT

Yong Guan, Xin Pan, Gang Liu, Zhiting Liang, Shan Chen, Xiaobo Zhang, Ying Xiong, Yangchao Tian, Changrong Xia

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 8851, X-Ray Nanoimaging: Instruments and Methods; 885112 (2013) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2026149
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2013, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Composites of La_0.4Sr_0.6Co_0.8Fe_0.2O_3−d (LSCF) with samarium doped ceria (SDC) have been extensively used as cathodes for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) to lower its operation temperature. The ability to visualize three-dimensional (3D) microstructural changes in LSCF-SDC composite cathodes can help elucidate the impact of microstructure on cathode performance. This study reports that we utilize the nano-computed tomography (nano-CT) technique to image the 3D microstructures of La_0.4Sr_0.6Co_0.2Fe_0.8O₃ (LSCF) - Ce_0.8Sm_0.2O_1.9 (SDC) composite cathodes which were sintering at 800, 1000, and 1200°C, respectively, for 2 h based on the Fe K-absorption edge. Using the reconstructions of LSFC-SDC composite cathodes submitted to different temperatures, the key microstructural properties, such as volume fraction of each phase, connected volume fraction, surface area, triple-phase boundary length, and pore size were measured. The effect of sintering temperature on the microstructure of LSFC-SDC cathodes was discussed and compared with theoretical simulation. With increasing sintering temperature in the range from 800 to 1200°C LSFC-SDC composite cathode microstructure was found that the volume fraction and grain size of LSCF material increased, while the volume fraction of SDC decreased. Furthermore, the triple-phase boundary length per volume increased as the sintering temperature increasing. This study had revealed that the nano-CT can provide a powerful tool to investigate the 3D microstructure of energy materials and optimize its preparation condition to gain better functional performance.

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Yong Guan, Xin Pan, Gang Liu, Zhiting Liang, Shan Chen, Xiaobo Zhang, Ying Xiong, Yangchao Tian, and Changrong Xia "Analysis of impact of sintering temperature on microstructure of LSCF-SDC composite cathodes using nano-CT", Proc. SPIE 8851, X-Ray Nanoimaging: Instruments and Methods, 885112 (26 September 2013); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2026149

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