Direct utilization of methanol in solid oxide fuel cells: An electrochemical and catalytic study

This study deals with an investigation of the direct methanol oxidation in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs). A new catalyst formulation characterized by mixed electronic - ionic conductivity was developed for the anodic process. A composite Ni-modified La_0.6Sr_0.4Fe_0.8Co_0.2O₃-Ce_0.9Gd_0.1O₂ electrocatalyst was prepared by incipient wetness and subsequent ball milling. The obtained composite material was calcined at 1100 °C for 2 h in static air. After thermal activation, Ni was mainly present as highly dispersed La₂NiO₄ particles on a La-depleted Sr(Fe_0.5Co_0.5)O_2.88 perovskite. The subsequent thermal reduction at 800 °C in hydrogen caused the occurrence of highly dispersed metallic Ni on the electrocatalyst surface. The surface area of the composite material was determined by BET measurement. The reduced catalyst was used as anode in intermediate temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (IT-SOFCs) directly fed with methanol. Ex-situ catalytic studies for the composite anode material under steam reforming, partial oxidation and autothermal reforming of methanol were carried out at 800 °C. A comparison of SOFC performance at 800 °C in the presence of syngas or methanol as fuels was carried out. The performance achieved for the direct utilization of methanol (350 mW cm⁻²) appears promising for SOFC application in remote and micro-distributed energy generation as well as for portable power sources.     

A new anode material for intermediate solid oxide fuel cells

A new anode material for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs) with a composite of La_0.7Sr_0.3Cr_1−xNi_xO₃ (LSCN), CeO₂ and Ni has been synthesized. EDX analysis showed that 1.19 at% Ni was doped into the perovskite-type La_0.7Sr_0.3CrO₃ and Ce could not be detected in the perovskite phases. Results showed that the fine CeO₂ and Ni were highly dispersed on the La_0.7Sr_0.3Cr_1−xNi_xO₃ substrates after calcining at 1450 °C and reducing at 900 °C. The thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) of the as-prepared anode material is 11.8 × 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ in the range of 30–800 °C. At 800 °C, the electrical conductivity of the as-prepared anode material calcined at 1450 °C for 5 h is 1.84 S cm⁻¹ in air and 5.03 S cm⁻¹ in an H₂ + 3% H₂O atmosphere. A single cell with yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ, 8 mol% Y₂O₃) electrolyte and the new materials as anodes and La_0.8Sr_0.2MnO₃ (LSM)/YSZ as cathodes was assembled and tested. At 800 °C, the peak power densities of the single cell was 135 mW cm⁻² in an H₂ + 3% H₂O atmosphere.     

Characterization of La0.5Sr0.5Co0.5Ti0.5O3−δ as symmetrical electrode material for intermediate-temperature solid-oxide fuel cells

La_0.5Sr_0.5Co_0.5Ti_0.5O_3−δ perovskite oxide has been prepared as polycrystalline powder, characterized and tested as cathode and anode material for solid-oxide fuel cells. The oxidized material is suggested to present mixed ionic-electronic conductivity (MIEC) from “in-situ” neutron powder diffraction (NPD) experiments, complemented with transport measurements; the presence of a sufficiently high oxygen deficiency, with large displacement factors for oxygen atoms suggest a large lability and mobility combined with a semiconductor-like behaviour with a maximum conductivity of 29 S cm⁻¹ at T = 850 °C. A complete reversibility towards reduction–oxidation processes has been observed, where the reduced Pm-3m perovskite with La_0.5Sr_0.5Co_0.5Ti_0.5O_2.64 composition has been obtained by topotactical oxygen removal without abrupt changes in the thermal expansion. The oxidized material shows good performance working as a cathode with LSGM electrolyte, yielding output power densities close to 500 mW/cm² at 850 °C. At intermediate temperatures (800 °C) it may be used as a cathode or as an anode, yielding power densities of 220 and 170 mW/cm², respectively. When used simultaneously as cathode and anode a maximum power density of 110 mW/cm² was obtained. Therefore, we propose the La_0.5Sr_0.5Co_0.5Ti_0.5O_3−δ composition as a promising candidate for symmetrical electrode in intermediate-temperature SOFC.     

Performance and degradation of La0.8Sr0.2Ga0.85Mg0.15O3−δ electrolyte-supported cells in single-chamber configuration

Electrolyte-supported cells were made of a La_0.8Sr_0.2Ga_0.85Mg_0.15O_3−δ (LSGM2015) electrolyte (200 μm thickness) prepared by ethylene glycol complex solution synthesis, isostatic pressing and sintered at 1400 °C, a Ni-SDC anode, a Sm_0.2Ce_0.8O_3−δ (SDC) buffer-layer between anode and electrolyte, and a La_0.5Sr_0.5CoO_3−δ-SDC cathode. The cells were tested in single-chamber configuration using methane–air mixtures. The results of X-ray diffraction and SEM-EDS showed a single-phase in the electrolyte and conductivities (∼0.01 S cm⁻¹ at 650 °C) close to the typical values. Good cell power densities of 215 and 102 mW cm⁻² were achieved under CH₄/O₂ = 1.4 of at 800 and 650 °C, respectively. However, the cell stability tests indicated that the operating temperature strongly influenced on the cell performance after 100 h. While no significant change in the power density was observed working at 650 °C, a clear performance degradation was evidenced at 800 °C. SEM-EDS revealed an appreciable degradation of the electrolyte and both the electrodes.     

Surface modified Ni foam as current collector for syngas solid oxide fuel cells with perovskite anode catalyst

Cu surface modified nickel foam is obtained by heating copper coated nickel foam in a reducing atmosphere. La_0.75Sr_0.25Cr_0.5Mn_0.5O_3−δ (LSCM) perovskite oxide is prepared using a sol–gel combustion method. The modified foams and LSCM powders exhibit excellent resistance to carbon deposition in syngas at high temperatures. Furthermore, Cu modified foams show better mechanical strength compared to bare Ni foam, which readily cracks after exposure to syngas at high temperature. LSCM retains its perovskite structure during exposure to syngas or carbon monoxide at 900 °C for 10 h. Cu surface modified Ni foam current collector demonstrates good chemical compatibility with LSCM in syngas atmosphere at high temperature. Syngas solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are assembled using Cu modified Ni foam anode current collector, LSCM anode catalyst, YSZ electrolyte, and porous Pt cathode. The present fuel cell provides similar power density to one with gold anode current collector and has excellent stability during operation at 900 °C.     

Low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells with novel La0.6Sr0.4Co0.8Cu0.2O3−δ perovskite cathode and functional graded anode

The perovskite La_0.6Sr_0.4Co_0.8Cu_0.2O_3−δ (LSCCu) oxide is synthesized by a modified Pechini method and examined as a novel cathode material for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (LT-SOFCs) based upon functional graded anode. The perovskite LSCCu exhibits excellent ionic and electronic conductivities in the intermediate-to-low-temperature range (400-800 °C). Thin Sm_0.2Ce_0.8O_1.9 (SDC) electrolyte and NiO-SDC anode functional layer are prepared over macroporous anode substrates composed of NiO-SDC by a one-step dry-pressing/co-firing process. A single cell with 20 μm thick SDC electrolyte on a porous anode support and LSCCu-SDC cathode shows peak power densities of only 583.2 mW cm⁻² at 650 °C and 309.4 mW cm⁻² for 550 °C. While a cell with 20 μm thick SDC electrolyte and an anode functional layer on the macroporous anode substrate shows peak power densities of 867.3 and 490.3 mW cm⁻² at 650 and 550 °C, respectively. The dramatic improvement of cell performance is attributed to the much improved anode microstructure that is confirmed by both SEM observation and impedance spectroscopy. The results indicate that LSCCu is a very promising cathode material for LT-SOFCs and the one-step dry-pressing/co-firing process is a suitable technique to fabricate high performance SOFCs.     

Electrochemical behaviour of an all-perovskite-based intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cell

A solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) has been manufactured using a Ni-modified perovskite and perovskite-based electrolyte and cathode. The SOFC has been investigated for operation at intermediate temperatures (800 °C). The electrical properties of La_0.8Sr_0.2Ga_0.8Mg_0.2O₃ (LSGM) perovskite have been compared to gadolinia-doped ceria (GDC) electrolyte. This has allowed to validate the promising properties of the perovskite electrolyte compared to ceria-based ceramic membranes for operation at intermediate temperatures. The reliability of the Ni-modified La_0.6Sr_0.4Fe_0.8Co_0.2O₃ perovskite-based anode for operation in combination with the LSGM electrolyte and a La_0.6Sr_0.4Fe_0.8Co_0.2O₃ (LSFC) cathode has been studied. A 50 h electrochemical test for the SOFC operating under different fuel feed compositions is reported. The all-perovskite SOFC shows promising fuel-flexibility characteristics.     

Performance of an anode-supported tubular solid oxide fuel cells stack with two single cells connected by a co-sintered ceramic interconnector

Two anode-supported tubular solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) have been connected by a co-sintered ceramic interconnector to form a stack. This novel bilayered ceramic interconnector consists of La-doped SrTiO₃ (La_0.4Sr_0.6TiO₃) and Sr-doped lanthanum manganite (La_0.8Sr_0.2MnO₃), which is fabricated by co-sintering with green anode at 1380 °C for 3 h. La_0.4Sr_0.6TiO₃ (LST) acts as a barrier avoiding the outward diffusion of H₂ to the cathode; while La_0.8Sr_0.2MnO₃ (LSM) prevents O₂ from diffusing inward to the anode. The compatibility of LST and LSM, as well as their microstructure which co-sintered with anode are both studied. The resistances between anode and LST/LSM interconnector at different temperatures are determined by AC impedance spectra. The results have showed that the bilayered LST/LSM is adequate for SOFC interconnector application. The active area is 2 cm² for interconnector and 16 cm² for the total cathode of the stack. When operating at 900 °C, 850 °C, 800 °C with H₂ as fuel and O₂ as oxidant, the maximum power density of the stack are 353 mW cm⁻², 285 mW cm⁻² and 237.5 mW cm⁻², respectively, i.e., approximately 80% power output efficiency can be achieved compared with the total of the two single cells.     

Low temperature preparation and characterization of solid oxide fuel cells on FeCr-based alloy support by aerosol deposition

Dense electrolyte and porous cathode coatings by room-temperature operating aerosol deposition process are applied and optimized for metal-supported solid oxide fuel cell fabrication. Porous metal support of FeCr-based alloy including (La, Sr)TiO₃ diffusion barrier and (Ce, Gd)O_2−δ–Ni anode were prepared using tape-casting process and co-fired in reducing atmosphere. Dense (Zr, Y)O_2−δ electrolyte and porous (La, Sr)(Co, Fe)O_3−δ cathode were prepared using aerosol deposition on it. The La_0.2Sr_0.8TiO₃ diffusion barrier effectively suppressed the reaction between the FeCr-based alloy support and Ni in the anode during co-firing at 1300 °C. Room-temperature deposition of the electrolyte and cathode layers in low vacuum conditions effectively prevented metal support degradation and cathode decomposition. Microstructural analysis of the anode, electrolyte, and cathode layers is presented. An open circuit voltage of 1.08 V and maximum power density of 0.71 W/cm² were achieved at 750 °C.     

Fabrication of electrolyte supported micro-tubular SOFCs using extrusion and dip-coating

Dense electrolyte supported micro tubular solid oxide fuel cells (T-SOFCs) were prepared in this study. Green Zr_0.8Sc_0.2O_2 − δ (ScSZ) electrolyte micro-tubes with a thickness of 300 μm were successfully prepared by extrusion at room temperature. After firing at 1400 °C, the bare electrolyte micro-tube with a thickness of 210 μm, a diameter of 3.8 mm, and a length of 40 mm reached a relative density of 96.84% and a flexural strength of 202 MPa. To achieve a better sintering shrinkage match, the electrolyte micro-tubes were pre-sintered at 1100 °C, coated with NiO/ScSZ (60 vol.%:40 vol.%) in the inner surface of the micro-tubes by dip-coating method, and then co-fired at 1400 °C. After co-sintering, the interface of the porous anode layer and the dense electrolyte layer demonstrated good adhesion and mechanical integrity. Subsequently, a La_0.8Sr_0.2MnO_3 − δ (LSM)/Ce_0.8Gd_0.2O_2 − δ (GDC) (80 vol.%:20 vol.%) cathode layer was coated on the outer surface of the micro-tubes by dip-coating method and post-sintered at 1100 °C. The thicknesses of the anode and cathode layers read approximately 28 and 34 μm respectively. After thermal cycling between 30 °C and 800 °C under 97% N₂–3%H₂ on the anode and air on the cathode, the micro T-SOFCs showed no delamination and retained good adhesion based on the SEM results. The maximum power densities (MPD) of the single cell read 0.26 and 0.23 W cm⁻² respectively at 920 and 900 °C, and the open circuit voltage (OCV) reported the same 1.08 V.     

La0.6Sr0.4Co0.8Ni0.2O3−δ hollow fiber membrane reactor: Integrated oxygen separation – CO2 reforming of methane reaction for hydrogen production

An integrated reactor system which combines oxygen permeable La_0.6Sr_0.4Co_0.8Ni_0.2O_3−δ (LSCN) perovskite ceramic hollow fiber membrane with Ni based catalyst has been successfully developed to produce hydrogen through oxy-CO₂ reforming of methane (OCRM). Dense La_0.6Sr_0.4Co_0.8Ni_0.2O_3−δ hollow fiber membrane was prepared using phase inversion-sintering method. OCRM reaction was tested from 650 °C to 800 °C with a quartz reactor packed with 0.5 g Ni/Al₂O₃ catalyst around the LSCN hollow fiber membrane. CH₄ and CO₂ were used as reactants and air as the oxygen source was fed through the bore side of the hollow fiber membrane. In order to gauge the effectiveness of this membrane reactor system, air flow was closed at 800 °C and dry reforming of methane (DRM) was tested for comparison. The results show that the oxygen fluxes of LSCN membrane swept by helium are nearly 3 times less than those swept by OCRM reactants. With increasing temperature and oxygen supply, methane conversion in the OCRM reactor reaches 100%, but CO₂ conversion decreases from 87% to 72% due to the competition reaction with POM. CO selectivity is as high as nearly 100% at reaction temperatures of 700 °C–800 °C while H₂ selectivity reaches a maximum of 88% at 700 °C. At 800 °C, when air supply was closed and DRM was conducted for comparison, CO selectivity decreased to 91%, resulting in carbon deposition which was around 4 times more than those obtained under OCRM reaction and H₂/CO ratio decreased from 0.93 to 0.74, showing better carbon resistance and higher H₂ selectivity of the Ni-based catalyst over the integrated oxygen separation-OCRM reaction across the LSCN hollow fiber membrane reactor.     

Fabrication and characterization of planar-type SOFC unit cells using the tape-casting/lamination/co-firing method

In this study, solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) consisting of a NiO-YSZ anode, a NiO/YSZ-YSZ functional layer, YSZ electrolyte and a (La_0.8Sr_0.2)MnO₃ + yttria-stabilized zirconia (LSM-YSZ) cathode were fabricated by tape-casting, lamination, and a co-firing process. NiO/YSZ-YSZ nano-composite powder was synthesized for the anode functional layer via the Pechini process in order to improve cell performance. After optimization of the slurries for the anode functional anode, electrolyte and cathode, all components were casted so as to fabricate the monolithic laminate. The co-firing temperature was optimized to minimize second phase formation between the (La_0.8Sr_0.2)MnO₃ (LSM) and yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) and to increase the sinterability of the YSZ electrolyte. The YSZ electrolyte was fully sintered with the addition of 0.5 wt% CuO, and the second phases of La₂Zr₂O₇ and SrZrO₃ did not form at 1350 °C. Ni-YSZ anode-supported unit cells were fabricated by co-firing at 1250-1400 °C. The unit cells co-fired at 1250 °C, 1300 °C, 1325 °C, 1350 °C and 1400 °C had maximum power densities of 0.18, 0.18, 0.30, 0.46 and 0.036 W/cm², respectively, in humidified hydrogen (∼3% H₂O) and air at 800 °C.     

La0.6Sr0.4Fe0.8Cu0.2O3−δ perovskite oxide as cathode for IT-SOFC

A La_0.6Sr_0.4Fe_0.8Cu_0.2O_3−δ (LSFCu) perovskite was investigated as a cathode material for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFC). The LSFCu material exhibited chemical compatibility with the Sm_0.2Ce_0.8O_1.9 (SDC) electrolyte up to a temperature of 1100 °C. The electrical conductivity of the sintered sample was measured as a function of temperature from 100 to 800 °C. The highest conductivity of about 238 S cm⁻¹ was observed for LSFCu. The average thermal-expansion coefficient (TEC) of LSFCu was 14.6 × 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹, close to that of typical CeO₂ electrolyte material. The investigation of electrical properties indicated that the LSFCu cathode had lower interfacial polarization resistance of 0.070 Ω cm² at 800 °C and 0.138 Ω cm² at 750 °C in air. An electrolyte-supported single cell with 300 μm thick SDC electrolyte and LSFCu as cathode shows peak power densities of 530 mW cm⁻² at 800 °C.     

Stabilisation of composite LSFCO–CGO based anodes for methane oxidation in solid oxide fuel cells

A La_0.6Sr_0.4Fe_0.8Co_0.2O₃–Ce_0.8Gd_0.2O_1.9 (LSFCO–CGO) composite anode material was investigated for the direct electrochemical oxidation of methane in intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs). A maximum power density of 0.17 W cm⁻² at 800 °C was obtained with a methane-fed ceria electrolyte-supported SOFC. A progressive increase of performance was recorded during 140 h operation with dry methane. The anode did not show any structure degradation after the electrochemical testing. Furthermore, no formation of carbon deposits was detected by electron microscopy and elemental analysis. Alternatively, this perovskite material showed significant chemical and structural modifications after high temperature treatment in a dry methane stream in a packed-bed reactor. It is derived that the continuous supply of mobile oxygen anions from the electrolyte to the LSFCO anode, promoted by the mixed conductivity of CGO electrolyte at 800 °C, stabilises the perovskite structure near the surface under SOFC operation and open circuit conditions.     

In-situ exsolved NiFe alloy nanoparticles on Pr0.8Sr1.2(NiFe)O4-δ for direct hydrocarbon fuel solid oxide fuel cells

NiFe alloy (NFA) nanoparticles decorated Ruddlesden-Popper (RP) type layered perovskite structure Pr_0.8Sr_1.2(NiFe)O_4-δ (RP-PSNF) have been fabricated by in-situ reduction of cubic perovskite Pr_0.32Sr_0.48Ni_0.2Fe_0.8O_3-δ (P–PSNF) in H₂ at 800 °C. When used as the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) anode material, the RP-PSNF-NFA based ceramic anode demonstrates a comparable catalytic activity to Ni-based anode. The SOFC single cell with RP-PSNF-NFA-Gd_0.2Ce_0.8O_2−δ (GDC) anode exhibits a maximum power density of 983 and 770 mW cm⁻² in humidified H₂ and C₃H₈ at 800 °C, respectively. More importantly, the single cell shows a high durability at the current density of 250 mA cm⁻² in humidified C₃H₈ at 800 °C, demonstrating an excellent coking resistance. Overall, this work suggests that RP-PSNF-NFA is a promising anode for direct hydrocarbon fuel SOFCs.     

Performance and degradation of metal-supported solid oxide fuel cells with impregnated electrodes

Metal-supported solid oxide fuel cells (MS-SOFCs) containing porous 430L stainless steel supports, YSZ electrolytes and porous YSZ cathode backbones are fabricated by tape casting, laminating and co-firing in a reducing atmosphere. Nano-scale Ni and La_0.6Sr_0.4Fe_0.9Sc_0.1O_3−δ (LSFSc) coatings are impregnated onto the internal surfaces of porous 430L and YSZ, acting as the anode and the cathode catalysts, respectively. The resulting MS-SOFCs exhibit maximum power densities of 193, 418, 636 and 907 mW cm⁻² at 650, 700, 750 and 800 °C, respectively. Nevertheless, a continuous degradation in the fuel cell performance is observed at 650 °C and 0.7 V during a 200-h durability measurement. Possible degradation mechanisms were discussed in detail.     

Catalytic performance of steam reforming of ethanol at low temperature over LaNiO3 perovskite

A LaNiO₃ perovskite catalyst was prepared using the coprecipitation–oxidation hydrothermal method, followed by calcination at 600 °C for 2 h. The as-prepared sample was composed of La(OH)₃ in nanorod structures and was covered with poorly crystalline Ni(OH)₂. The mixed metal hydroxides were converted into cubic LaNiO₃ perovskite after calcination at 600 °C. A catalytic steam reforming of ethanol (SRE) reaction for hydrogen production was performed in a fixed-bed reactor. The catalyst was reduced in situ in hydrogen at 400 °C prior to the reaction. The ethanol conversion reached 100% at 300 °C with 70% hydrogen selectivity. The highly catalytic activity of the reduced catalyst was due to the well-dispersion of Ni particles on the surface of active catalyst was formed in the in situ reduced catalyst. After a 80 h time-on-stream test at 350 °C, the used catalyst presented a La₂O₂CO₃ component that was formed owing to the reaction of the CO₂ product with La₂O₃. La₂O₂CO₃ acted as a carbon reservoir to eliminate the deposited carbon and further stabilized the Ni particles on the La₂O₃ surface, which resulted in the highly catalytic activity during the entire reaction period. The deposited carbon after the SRE reaction was further examined by TGA, TPR, elemental analysis, and TEM.     

Ni-doped A-site-deficient La0.7Sr0.3Cr0.5Mn0.5O3-δ perovskite as anode of direct carbon solid oxide fuel cells

A Ni-doped A-site-deficient La_0.7Sr_0.3Cr_0.5Mn_0.5O_3-δ perovskite (N-LSCM) was synthesized and systematically characterized towards the application as the anode electrode for direct carbon solid oxide fuel cells (DC-SOFCs). The microstructure and electrochemical properties of N-LSCM under the operation conditions of DC-SOFCs have been evaluated. An in-situ exsolution of Ni nanoparticles on the N-LSCM perovskite matrix is found, revealing a maximum power density of 153 mW cm⁻² for the corresponding DC-SOFC at 850 °C, compared to 114 mW cm⁻² of the cell with stoichiometric LSCM. The introduction of Ni nanoparticles exsolution and A-site deficient is believed to boost the formation of highly mobile oxygen vacancies and electrochemical catalytic activity, and further improves the output performance of the DC-SOFC. It thus promises as a suitable anode candidate for DC-SOFCs with whole-solid-state configuration.     

Combustion synthesis and properties of highly phase-pure perovskite electrolyte Co-doped La0.9Sr0.1Ga0.8Mg0.2O2.85 for IT-SOFCs

The highly phase-pure perovskite electrolyte, La_0.9Sr_0.1Ga_0.8Mg_0.115Co_0.085O_2.85 (LSGMCO), was prepared by means of glycine–nitrate process (GNP) for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs). The perovskite phase evolution, sintering, electrical conductivity and electrochemical performance of LSGMCO were investigated. The results show that the highly phase-pure perovskite electrolyte LSGMCO can be obtained after calcining at 1150 °C. The sample sintered at 1450 °C for 20 h in air exhibited a better sinterability, and the relative density of LSGMCO was higher than 95%. The stoichiometric indexes of the elements in the sintered sample LSGMCO determined experimentally by EDS were in good agreement with the nominal composition. The electrical conductivities of the sample were 0.094 and 0.124 S· cm⁻¹ at 800 °C and 850 °C in air, respectively. The ionic conduction of the sample was dominant at high temperature with the higher activation energies. While at lower temperature the electron hole conduction was predominated with the lower activation energies. The maximum power densities of the single cell fabricated with LSGMCO electrolyte with Ce_0.8Sm_0.2O_1.9 (SDC) interlayer, SmBaCo₂O_5+x cathode and NiO/SDC anode achieved 643 and 802 mW cm⁻² at 800 °C and 850 °C, respectively.     

SrCo0.7Fe0.2Ta0.1O3−δ perovskite as a cathode material for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells

Perovskite oxide SrCo_0.7Fe_0.2Ta_0.1O_3−δ (SCFT) was synthesized by a solid–state reaction and investigated as a potential cathode material for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cell (IT-SOFC). The single phase SCFT having a cubic perovskite structure was obtained by sintering the sample at 1200 °C for 10 h in air. Introduction of Ta improved the phase stability of SCFT. The SCFT exhibited a good chemical compatibility with the La_0.9Sr_0.1Ga_0.8Mg_0.2O_3−δ (LSGM) electrolyte at 950 °C for 10 h. The average thermal expansion coefficient was 23.8 × 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ between 30 and 1000 °C in air. The electrical conductivities of the SCFT sample were 71–119 S cm⁻¹ in the 600−800 °C temperature range in air, and the maximum conductivity reached 247 S cm⁻¹ at 325 °C. The polarization resistance of the SCFT cathode on the LSGM electrolyte was 0.159 Ω cm² at 700 °C. The maximum power density of a single-cell with the SCFT cathode on a 300 μm-thick LSGM electrolyte reached 652.9 mW cm⁻² at 800 °C. The SCFT cathode had shown a good electrochemical stability over a period of 20 h short-term testing. These findings indicated that the SCFT could be a suitable alternative cathode material for IT-SOFCs.