Porous La_0.6Sr_0.4CoO_3-δ thin film cathodes for large area micro solid oxide fuel cell power generators

Porous La_0.6Sr_0.4CoO3-δ thin films were fabricated by pulsed laser deposition for being used as a cathode for micro solid oxide fuel cell applications as MEMS power generators. Symmetrical La_0.6Sr_0.4CoO_3-δ/ yttria-stabilized zirconia/La_0.6Sr_0.4CoO_3-δ free-standing membranes were fabricated using silicon as a substrate. A novel large-area membrane design based on grids of doped-silicon slabs was used. Thermomechanical stability of the tri-layer membranes was ensured in the intermediate range of temperatures up to 700 °C. In-plane conductivity of ca. 300 S cm^-1 was measured for the cathode within the whole range of application temperatures. Finally, area specific resistance values below 0.3 Ω cm² were measured for the cathode/electrolyte bi-layer at 700 °C in the exact final micro solid oxide fuel cell device configuration, thus presenting La_0.6Sr_0.4CoO3_-δ as a good alternative for fabricating reliable micro solid oxide fuel cells for intermediate temperature applications.
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