A study of the novel Cu-based materials as a potential air electrode for high-temperature reversible solid oxide cells

In the presented work the novel Cu-based materials with a perovskite structure were analyzed as a potential air electrode material for solid oxide cells (SOC). Experiments were conducted on four materials with the general chemical formula REBa0.5Sr0.5CoCuO5+δ, where RE = Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd. The crystal structure, thermogravimetry, and electrical conductivity measurements were carried out to fully characterize the materials. SmBa0.5Sr0.5CoCuO5+δ oxide was selected for the investigations in the semi-technical cells. The performance of the cells sintered at a higher temperature is greater (up to 10% higher current density for the same voltage) in the fuel cell mode. In the electrolysis mode, cells with air electrodes sintered at a lower temperature showed up to 15% higher current density. The achieved performance for cell with SmBa0.5Sr0.5CoCuO5+δ electrode was up to 20% higher than for the standard cell with an LSC-based electrode.