Recent advances in Perovskite-type materials for solid oxide fuel cell cathodes

Perovskite materials, particularly of the LaMO3 type, where M is typically a transition metal, have in increasing numbers been found to possess mixed ionic-electronic conductivity. For use as cathodes in fuel cells the presen ce of mixed ionic-electronic conductivity in oxides: has been found to he h ighly beneficial. Therefore, considerable efforts have been directed toward s the development of this type of cathode. The performance of the cathode m aterial is of fundamental importance to the operation of these devices. In recent years a significant amount of time has been expended on the developm ent of these perovskite materials, identifying new mixed conductors and imp roving the operational performance of existing materials through developmen t of improved cell designs. This article concentrates on the advances in pe rformance and the strategies used to achieve this and, in particular, focus es on developments within the last 10 years. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.