Microstructure and Polarization Studies on Interlayer Free La0.65Sr0.3Co0.2Fe0.8O3–δ Cathodes Fabricated on Yttria Stabilized Zirconia by Solution Precursor Plasma Spraying

Nano‐structured cathodes of La_0.65Sr_0.3Co_0.2Fe_0.8O_3–δ (LSCF) are fabricated by solution precursor plasma spraying (SPPS) on yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolytes (LSCF‐SPPS‐YSZ). Phase pure LSCF is obtained at all plasma power. Performances of LSCF‐SPPS‐YSZ cathodes are compared with conventionally prepared LSCF cathodes on YSZ (LSCF‐C‐YSZ) and gadolinium doped ceria (GDC) (LSCF‐C‐GDC) electrolytes. High R_p is observed in the LSCF‐C‐YSZ (∼42 Ohm cm² at 700 °C) followed by LSCF‐C‐GDC (R_p ∼ 1.5 Ohm cm² at 700 °C) cathodes. Performance of the LSCF‐SPPS‐YSZ cathodes (R_p ∼ 0.1 Ohm cm² at 700 °C) is found to be even superior to the performance of LSCF‐C‐GDC cathodes. High performance in LSCF‐SPPS‐YSZ cathodes is attributed to its nano‐structure and absence of any interfacial insulating phase which may be attributed to the low temperature at the interaction point of LSCF and YSZ and low interaction time between LSCF and YSZ during SPPS process. In the time scale of 100 h, no change in the polarization resistances is observed at 750 °C. Based on the literature and from the present studies it can be stated that SOFC with YSZ electrolyte and LSCF‐SPPS‐YSZ cathode can be operated at 750 °C for a longer duration of time and good performance can probably be achieved.