Bio-inspired honeycomb-shaped La0·5Sr0·5Fe0·9P0·1O3-δ as a high-performing cathode for proton-conducting SOFCs.

A new honeycomb-shaped La 0·5 Sr 0·5 Fe 0·9 P 0·1 O 3-δ (LSFP) material has been proposed as a cathode for proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells (H–SOFCs). Compared with conventional LSFP, the honeycomb-shaped does not change the crystal structure or the electronic structure of the material but offers a much higher surface area. The unique honeycomb structure allows the easier diffusion of air and H 2 O evaporations in the cathode, thus benefiting the application of LSFP as a cathode for LSFP. The honeycomb LSFP cathode's fuel cell shows a peak power density of 1474 mW cm−2 at 700 °C, which is higher than the conventional LSFP cell. In addition, the fuel cell performance is also the highest ever reported for H–SOFCs based on the Sr-doped LaFeO 3 (LSF) cathodes, making a new life for the first-generation LSF cathode for H–SOFCs. The distribution of relaxation times (DRT) analysis for the cell reveals that the honeycomb-shaped cathode improves the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at the cathode, thus improving the cathode kinetics. • A honeycomb-shaped La 0·5 Sr 0·5 Fe 0·9 P 0·1 O 3-δ (LSFP) material has been prepared. • The honeycomb structure improved the surface area. • The cell using the honeycomb LSFP cathode showed higher fuel cell performance. • The performance enhancement mechanism was studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]