Synthesis and Characterization of La_0.70Ca_0.30MnO₃ System for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Applications

Abstract

La0.70Ca0.30MnO3 system has been prepared by solid state reaction method for cathode of solid oxide fuel cell applications. The structural studies have been investigated by X-Ray diffraction method and the experimental results have confirmed that the prepared system has been well crystallized into single phase, crystal structure is orthorhombic and size of the particle has been calculated to be 0.35 μm. The surface morphology has been studied by scanning electron microscopy which confirmed that grain sizes are irregular, non uniform and randomly oriented. Archimedes principle has been used to investigate the density of the prepared material. Thermal properties of the system confirmed its stability at high temperature and thermal expansion coefficient well matched with other cell components. The dielectric as well as impedance properties have been investigated at different ranges of temperature and frequency. Electrical conductivity of the prepared system has been found to be more than 100 S/cm as well as obtained value of activation energy signifies that the synthesized system is suitable for cathode of solid oxide fuel cell applications.