La0.4Sr0.6Co0.8Fe0.2O3-d / Ce0.9Gd0.1O2-d Interface: Characterization by High Resolution SEM and TEM

A. SOLDATI; L. BAQUÉ; H. TROIANI; C. COTARO; A. SCHREIBER; R. WIRTH; A. CANEIRO; A. SERQUIS

ECS Transactions

Electrochemical Society

Año: 2011 vol. 35 p. 657 - 664

1938-6737

In this work, we successfully applied a FIB/lift-out technique to prepare site-specific thin samples containing the cathode/ electrolyte interface between two La0.4Sr0.6Co0.8Fe0.2O3- (LSCF) / Ce0.9Gd0.1O2- (CGO) half cells. Despite different cathode thicknesses (15 !m and a 5 !m), both samples presented similar composition and nano-sized structure. However, an exhaustive microscopic analysis by SEM and TEM in high resolution modes revealed that the 15 !m sample presented a perfectly attached interface, while the other showed pores at the interfacial boundary, decreasing the real LSCF/CGO contact and increasing the area specific resistance. The presented combined techniques are a powerful tool to investigate subtle microstructural changes that may occur in the electrolyte/electrode interface and are adequate for studying changes after long term operation conditions.