Low frequency ultrasound assisted synthesis of La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3 − δ (LSCF) perovskite nanostructures

Abstract

La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3 − δ (LSCF) perovskite nanostructures were synthesised using a 42 kHz ultrasound assisted synthesis technique for the fabrication of electrodes in the intermediate and/or low temperature solid oxide fuel and electrolysis cells (SOFCs/SOECs). The obtained nanomaterials were dried at 110 °C followed by calcination in a normal atmosphere at various temperatures from 400 to 1000 °C for 2 h. Powder characteristics such as crystal structure, thermal decomposition, particle size andmorphologywere analysed. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) study revealed the uniform equi-axial shape and growth of the obtained nanostructureswith respect to the calcination temperature till 800 °C. The structural and chemical analyses confirmed the existence of LSCF and CoFe2O4 phases.