International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, Vol.42, No.2, 1203-1211, 2017
A 2D and 3D X-ray mu-diffraction and mu-fluorescence study of a mixed ionic electronic conductor
Due to the mixed ionic electronic conductive properties of the Lanthanum Strontium Cobalt Ferrite (LSCF) La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3-delta compound, it is of great scientific and technological interest. Especially in the Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) technology, this compound has receiving great attention as a cathode material. However, its chemical reactivity with the Yttria-stabilized Zirconia (YSZ) electrolyte still remains one of the main challenges, which demands a comprehension in the gm and sub-gm range. In order to address the reactivity issues locally in the micrometre scale range, 2D and 3D X-ray mu-diffraction and mu-fluorescence analysis have been performed on a pristine LSCF cathode layer. The cathode was deposited on a dense YSZ electrolyte substrate spaced by a thin Gadolinium doped Ceria Oxide (CGO) barrier layer in between LSCF and YSZ to limit the reactivity. The present approach offers a larger field of view in comparison to electron microscopy techniques. The method can provide a more representative information and may offer some insights on the reactivity distribution along the interfaces. The formation of micro SrZrO3 inclusions in LSCF layer is then indubitably identified, as well as in the CGO/YSZ interface. (C) 2016 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords:Solid oxide fuel cell;X-ray diffraction tomography;X-ray fluorescence tomography;X-ray micro beam