Influence of heat treatment and milling speed on phase stability of Ba_0.5Sr_0.5Co_0.8Fe_0.2O_3-δ composite cathode solid oxide fuel cell

This study presents the preparation of barium strontium cobalt ferrite (BSCF)–samarium doped ceria (SDC) added samarium doped ceria carbonate (SDCC) cathode for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of heat treatment on compatibility and characterization of BSCF composite. Calcined BSCF was mixed with SDCC and SDC by ball milling at 150 and 200 rpm respectively. Subsequently, both were uniaxially pressed to form pellets and sintered at 600^oC for 2 hours. The BSCF behavior of composite samples was characterized via X-ray diffraction to determine the crystalline phase of BSCF composite. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to determine the existence of carbonate bond. Field emission scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the grain morphology. The crystalline BSCF phase percentage increased and secondary phases reduced when the milling speed decreased. After milling, BSCF composites still displayed uniform elemental distribution. Heat treatment has an impaired crystalline phase of perovskite BSCF. Without heat treatment, the BSCF composites showed agglomerate and unmolded particles.