Electrochemical Impedance Studies of SOFC Cathodes

Mixed ion- and electron-conducting composite electrodes consisting of doped ceria and perovskite have been studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) at different temperatures and oxygen partial pressures. This paper aims to describe the different contributions to the polarisation impedance of the cathode at intermediate operating temperatures. The perovskite is of the La-Sr-Co-Fe type. The EIS response of symmetrical cells with a thick (similar to 200 mu m) gadolinia doped ceria electrolyte was compared with the impedance contribution of the cathode of a full anode supported cell. The full cells had a Ni-YSZ anode and anode support, a thin YSZ electrolyte, and a CGO barrier layer. The symmetric and full cell cathode responses were compared at open-circuit voltage. Humidified hydrogen was used as the fuel in the full cell measurements. Differential analysis of the impedance data was used to identify frequency ranges where changes occur upon degradation and oxygen partial pressure variations.