Oxygen Reduction Mechanisms in Nanostructured La_0.8Sr_0.2MnO₃ Cathodes for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

In this work we outline the mechanisms contributing to the oxygen reduction reaction in nanostructured cathodes of La_0.8Sr_0.2MnO₃ (LSM) for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC). These cathodes, developed from LSM nanostructured tubes, can be used at lower temperatures compared to microstructured ones, and this is a crucial fact to avoid the degradation of the fuel cell components. This reduction of the operating temperatures stems mainly from two factors: (i) the appearance of significant oxide ion diffusion through the cathode material in which the nanostructure plays a key role and (ii) an optimized gas phase diffusion of oxygen through the porous structure of the cathode, which becomes negligible. A detailed analysis of our Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy supported by first-principles calculations point toward an improved overall cathodic performance driven by a fast transport of oxide ions through the cathode surface. (Figure Presented).