Development of anode material based on La-substituted SrTiO₃ perovskites doped with manganese and/or gallium for SOFC

Materials based on La-substituted SrTiO3 perovskites doped with manganese and/or gallium for SOFC have been studied as novel anodes for solid oxide fuel cell. La4Sr8Ti11Mn1-xGaxO38-delta (0 <= x <= 1) oxides were synthesized by solid state reaction and the influences of the manganese and/or gallium content on the structure, morphology, thermal properties and electrical conductivity of these materials has been investigated. All compounds show cubic structure with a space group Pm-3m. These compounds presented high electrical conductivity values under reducing atmosphere between 7.9 and 6.8 S cm(-1) at 900 C. For the composition x >= 0.5, the thermal expansion coefficient in both reducing and oxidizing atmosphere are close to that of SOFC electrolytes (8YSZ, CGD). In general, the substitution of Ga by Mn causes a slight reduction in each of the following, lattice parameter, degree of oxygen loss on reduction, thermal expansion coefficient, and electrical conductivity. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.