X-ray Absorption under Operating Conditions for Solid-Oxide Fuel Cells Electrocatalysts: The Case of LSCF/YSZ

We describe a novel electrochemical cell for X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) experiments during electrical polarization suitable for high-temperature materials such as those used in solid oxide fuel cells. A half-cell LSCF/YSZ was then investigated under cathodic and anodic conditions (850 °C and applied electrical bias ranging from +1 V to -1 V in air). The in situ XAS measurements allowed us to follow the LSCF degradation into simple oxides. The rapid deterioration of LSCF is ascribed to the formation of excess of oxygen vacancies leading to the collapse of the mixed perovskite structure.