Preparation and electrochemical properties of {\hbox{N}}{{\hbox{d}}_{{{2} - x}}}{\hbox{S}}{{\hbox{r}}_x}{\hbox{Fe}}{{\hbox{O}}_{{{4} + \delta }}} cathode materials for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells

Cathodic materials $ {\hbox{N}}{{\hbox{d}}_{{{2} - x}}}{\hbox{S}}{{\hbox{r}}_x}{\hbox{Fe}}{{\hbox{O}}_{{{4} + \delta }}} $ (x?=?0.5, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0) with K₂NiF₄-type structure, for use in intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs), have been prepared by the glycine?Cnitrate process and characterized by XRD, SEM, AC impedance spectroscopy, and DC polarization measurements. The results have shown that no reaction occurs between an $ {\hbox{N}}{{\hbox{d}}_{{{2} - x}}}{\hbox{S}}{{\hbox{r}}_x}{\hbox{Fe}}{{\hbox{O}}_{{{4} + \delta }}} $ electrode and an Sm_0.2Gd_0.8O_1.9 electrolyte at 1,200?°C, and that the electrode forms a good contact with the electrolyte after sintering at 1,000?°C for 2?h. In the series $ {\hbox{N}}{{\hbox{d}}_{{{2} - x}}}{\hbox{S}}{{\hbox{r}}_x}{\hbox{Fe}}{{\hbox{O}}_{{{4} + \delta }}} $ (x?=?0.5, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0), the composition $ {\hbox{N}}{{\hbox{d}}_{{{1}.0}}}{\hbox{S}}{{\hbox{r}}_{{{1}.0}}}{\hbox{Fe}}{{\hbox{O}}_{{{4} + \delta }}} $ shows the lowest polarization resistance and cathodic overpotential, 2.75????cm² at 700?°C and 68?mV at a current density of 24.3?mA?cm^?2 at 700?°C, respectively. It has also been found that the electrochemical properties are remarkably improved the increasing Sr content in the experimental range.