Electrochemical Properties of Nanocrystalline Y_2-xPr_xRu₂O₇ Pyrochlore for Electrodic Application in IT-SOFCS

Abstract

Nanocrystalline powders of Y2-xPrxRu2O7 were prepared by a co-precipitation method, and were tested as electrode on ESB and GDC electrolytes by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in the 300-750°C temperatures range. The electrode polarization was studied as a function of the amount of praseodymium in the cathode material. Both systems, Y2-xPrxRu2O7/ESB and Y2-xPrxRu2O7/GDC, showed a similar variation of the electrode area specific resistance (ASR). Y1.5Pr0.5Ru2O7 cathode material presented the best performance, with ASR value of 0.19 Ωcm2 on ESB and 4.23 Ωcm2 on GDC at 700°C. Furthermore, the change in ASR with the oxygen partial pressure suggested that the rate limiting step is the surface diffusion of the adsorbed oxygen at the electrode surface to the triple-phase boundary. Thus, the low value of resistivity of the Y1.5Pr0.5Ru2O7 in contact with ESB results from a much lower charge transfer resistance compared to the Y2-xPrxRu2O7/GDC system, and a partial solid diffusion at the interface electrode/electrolyte that increases the effective triple phase boundary length. This suggests that Y2-xPrxRu2O7 is a promising material for cathode application in ESB-based electrolyte for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs).