Synthesis of Ni-doped LaSrMnO3 nanopowders by hydrothermal method for SOFC interconnect applications

Ni-doped lanthanum strontium manganite (LSMN) nanopowders, La_0.7Sr_0.3Mn_1?xNi_xO₃ (0.05?≤?x?≤?0.3) were synthesized at 150?°C for 8?h by hydrothermal reaction as a function of Ni doping concentration. The SEM analyses suggested that the calcination treatment influenced the morphology of the nanopowders. The calcined nanopowders at 1300?°C had agglomerated spherical structure of 44–77?nm. Meanwhile, the XRD studies revealed that the nanopowders have single crystalline phase over the range x?=?0.05–0.2. In addition, the LSMN nanopowders were sintered at elevated temperatures, 1250–1350?°C to examine their electrical conductivity for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) interconnect applications under actual SOFC working condition. Their electrical conductivity gradually increased to 90.05?S/cm with Ni doping concentration x?=?0.2, which were sintered at 1300?°C. These results suggest La_0.7Sr_0.3Mn_0.8Ni_0.2O₃ displays a good performance as an optimal composition of the LSMN.