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

A.L. SOLDATI; L. BAQUE; H. TROIANI; C. COTARO; A. SCHREIBER; A. CANEIRO; A. SERQUIS

ECS Transactions

Electrochemical Society

Año: 2011 vol. 35 p. 657 - 664

1938-5862

In this work, we successfully applied a FIB/lift-out technique toprepare 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 cathodethicknesses (15 m and a 5 m), both samples presented similarcomposition and nano-sized structure. However, an exhaustivemicroscopic analysis by SEM and TEM in high resolution modesrevealed that the 15 m sample presented a perfectly attachedinterface, while the other showed pores at the interfacial boundary,decreasing the real LSCF/CGO contact and increasing the areaspecific resistance. The presented combined techniques are apowerful tool to investigate subtle microstructural changes thatmay occur in the electrolyte/electrode interface and are adequatefor studying changes after long term operation conditions.