Electrochemical performance of silver-modified Ba_0.5Sr_0.5Co_0.8Fe_0.2O_3-δ cathodes prepared via electroless deposition

Silver-modified Ba_0.5Sr_0.5Co_0.8Fe_0.2O_3-δ (BSCF) cathodes for intermediate-temperature solid-oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs) were prepared by an electroless deposition process using N₂H₄ as the reducing agent at room temperature. This fabrication technique together with tailored electrode porosity, modified the BSCF electrodes with silver content that varied from 0.3 to 30 wt.% without damaging the electrode microstructure. Both the Ag loading and firing temperatures were found to have a significant impact on the electrode performance, which could facilitate or block the electrochemical processes of the BSCF-based cathodes, processes that include charge-transfer, oxygen adsorption and oxygen electrochemical reduction. At an optimal Ag loading of 3.0 wt.% and firing temperature of 850 °C, an area specific resistance of only 0.042 Ω cm² at 600 °C was achieved for a modified BSCF cathode.