Enhanced Performance of La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3−δδ (LSCF) Cathodes with Graded Microstructure Fabricated by Tape Casting

La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3−δ (LSCF) powders with different particle sizes, synthesized through a citrate complexation method and a gel-casting technique, are used to fabricate porous LSCF cathodes with graded microstructures via tape casting. To create porous electrodes with desired porosity and pore structures, graphite and starch are used as pore former for different layers of the graded cathode. Examination of the microstructures of the as-prepared LSCF cathode using an SEM revealed that both grain size and porosity changed gradually from the catalytically active layer (near the electrodeelectrolyte interface) to the current collection layer (near the electrode-interconnect interface). Impedance analysis showed that a 3-layer LSCF cathode with graded microstructures exhibited much-improved performance compared to that of a single-layer LSCF cathode, corresponding to interfacial resistance of 0.053, 0.11, and 0.27 Ω·cm at 800, 750, and 700C respectively.