Synthesis and Characterization of Lanthanum Chromite perovskite oxides as interconnector materials for SOFC

Solid Oxide Fuel cell (SOFC) is one of the most promising technologies for production of electrical energy using hydrogen as a renewable energy source. Good sinterability is an important requirement in the fabrication of gas -tight lanthanum chromite as an interconnect material for solid oxide fuel cells. For the improvement of LaCrO3 sinterability, many attempts have been made, such as by sintering in reducing atmosphere, substitution of chromium by other transition metals or the addition of sintering aids such as some fluorides . In this research work, lanthanum chromite perovskite oxide was synthesized by a combination of ball milling and conventional solid state route. Phase formation, and morphologyof prepared samples were characterized using XRD, and SEM techniques after milling for 0,8,16 and 24h and calcination at the temperatures range of 600- 1000°C. The results demonstrated that a single phase is obtained after 8h ball milling and calcining at 900° C for 4h. Study of the effects of Sr, Ca and Co doping on densification ability of LaCrO3 showed higher sinterability of calcium and cobalt-doped lanthanum chromite perovskite.

Keywords:

Lanthanum chromite , Sintering , Densification , Interconnect