Perovskite and A2MO4-type oxides as new cathode materials for protonic solid oxide fuel cells

Solid state ionic devices based on high-temperature proton conductors can be used for various applications, especially in a new class of fuel cells, the Protonic Ceramic Fuel Cell (SOFC-H+). These systems are currently operating at intermediate temperatures (500–600°C) and one of the major problems is the overpotential at the cathode side. In this context, various perovskite oxides AMO3−δ (A=La, Ba, Sr; M=Mn; Fe, Co, Ni) and A2MO4-type compounds (A=La, Nd, Pr or Sr; M=Ni) have been investigated. Their properties under moist cathodic atmosphere have been studied. Actually, they are stable and exhibit high electrical conductivity (σ>100Scm−1) as well as good electrocatalytic properties towards oxygen reduction.