LAUSR

BaCO3 nanoparticles were infiltrated into a La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3−δ (LSCF) electrode as a synergistic catalyst to enhance the performance of proton conducting solid oxide fuel cells (H-SOFCs). Electrochemical impedance analysis showed that the polarization resistance was dramatically reduced by nearly 75% from 1.123 Ω cm2 to 0.293 Ω cm2 at 700°C after infiltration of BaCO3 nanoparticles. The chemical stability between the BaCO3 and LSCF electrode was investigated by running a long-term 300-h test, during which the polarization resistance exhibited only minor degradation (2.22–2.20 Ω cm2). In addition, single cells with infiltrated LSCF electrode and BaCe0.7Zr0.1Y0.1Yb0.1O3−δ (BCZYYb) electrolyte yielded a maximum power density of 404 mW cm−2 at 700°C, much higher than cells with a bare LSCF electrode (268 mW cm−2 at 700°C). BaCO3 demonstrated promising performance enhancements of LSCF electrodes for H-SOFCs and warrants further development.