Rapid synthesis and performance analysis of La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 cathodes and La0.85Sr0.15Ga0.85Mg0.15O3 electrolytes for IT-SOFCs Ramón Cobo Rendón, Simón Roa, Erwin Sepúlveda, Gonzalo Abarzúa, Andrés Gysling, et al. Materials Research Express, 2026 La–Sr–Mn–O (LSM) and La–Sr–Ga–Mg–O (LSGM) perovskite-like oxide ceramics have been extensively studied owing to their attractive electrochemical properties and thermal stability, making them promising materials for intermediate-temperature (IT) solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). In this work, we report a cost-effective and scalable synthesis methodology for LSM (cathode) and LSGM (electrolyte) powders using an original fast solution combustion (FSC)-based procedure, followed by a comprehensive evaluation of their electrochemical behavior in symmetric LSM/LSGM/LSM cells by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in the 600 °C–800 °C range. EIS results revealed a substantial decrease in the cathodic polarization resistance ( R p ) with increasing temperature, reaching ∼2.6 Ω·cm 2 at 800 °C. Arrhenius analysis yielded an activation energy of approximately 1.15 eV for the oxygen-reduction reaction, which is consistent with the typical range reported for LSM-based cathodes. Impedance analysis indicated that the electrochemical response is mainly limited by surface oxygen exchange processes on LSM, whereas interfacial resistance at the LSM/LSGM contact may also contribute to the overall polarization losses. Overall, the proposed synthesis route enabled the preparation of structurally appropriate LSM and LSGM materials with properties suitable for IT-SOFC operation. These results provide relevant insights into the interplay between synthesis, microstructure, transport properties, and interfacial phenomena in LSM/LSGM systems, supporting the future development of optimized IT-SOFC components based on these compounds.
Impact of Porosity on Thermal Gradients in Metal-Supported SOFCs: A CFD-Based Analysis Pacao Barros, Andrés Escalona, Cristian Cuevas, Felipe Sanhueza Journal of the Electrochemical Society, 2026 This study presents a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of the thermal and electrochemical behavior of metal-supported solid oxide fuel cells (MS-SOFCs), with emphasis on the porosity optimization of the metallic support. Using ANSYS Fluent and the SOFC with Unresolved Electrolyte module, simulations were conducted for support porosities ranging from 20% to 80% while maintaining constant electrode microstructure. The results show that increasing support porosity enhances gas diffusion and current density up to an optimal threshold near 0.4. Above this value, performance gains become negligible due to diffusion limitations, and thermal dispersion increases, resulting in sharper vertical temperature gradients (∼10 °C cm −1 ) that approach mechanical stress limits. These findings quantitatively demonstrate the trade-off between electrochemical performance and thermal gradient control, confirming the dual role of the metallic microstructure as both a facilitator of mass transport and a heat-dissipating backbone. The outcomes provide design guidance for selecting appropriate porosity levels to balance power density and thermal stability in MS-SOFC architectures. Additionally, the numerical framework presented here offers a cost-effective approach to accelerate microstructural optimization before extensive experimental prototyping, contributing to the development of more efficient and mechanically reliable MS-SOFC systems for stationary and mobile power applications.
Cathode Materials for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells: From Metal and Metal Composite Catalysts to Carbon-Supported Hybrids in Oxygen Reduction Reaction Claudia Garcés‐Barría, Daniel Cáceres‐Díaz, Javiera Torres‐Fernández, Tatiana M. Bustamante, Elizabeth Elgueta, et al. Chemelectrochem, 2025 This review provides an overview of recent advancements in cathode materials for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), focusing on their role in catalyzing the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). This begins with a fundamental discussion of the ORR mechanism, including two‐electron and four‐electron pathways. The review then explores a wide range of electrocatalyst materials, starting with precious metal catalysts, particularly platinum‐based materials, along with alloying strategies and composite structures. This then delves into nonprecious metal catalysts, encompassing metal‐free ORR electrocatalysts, carbon‐supported composite materials (including heteroatom doping and metal‐carbon composites), and transition metal oxides. The review further examines metal phthalocyanines, biomass‐derived catalysts, bimetallic and trimetallic nanoparticles supported on carbon matrices, and chalcogenides (oxides, sulfides, and selenides) as ORR electrocatalysts. Advanced materials such as single‐ and dual‐atom catalysts, high‐entropy alloys, and metal organic frameworks derived electrocatalysts are also discussed. We analyze the identification of reaction sites and the effect of structure on catalytic activity. Furthermore, the review covers electrochemical measurements in PEMFCs and explores technological applications and industrial relevance, including products and patents. Finally, this review concludes by addressing future perspectives and challenges in the field of cathode materials for PEMFCs.
Microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis and characterisation of cobalt phosphate nanosheets as electrode material for high-performance supercapacitors Elochukwu S. Agudosi, Jia En Goh, Mohammad Khalid, Koduri Ramam, Felipe Sanhueza Energy Storage, 2024 In this study, cobalt phosphate (Co3[PO4]2) nanosheets were synthesized through a microwave‐assisted hydrothermal method with enhanced electrochemical properties. The synthesis was carried out at different microwave heating times (3, 5, 10, and 15 min) at a fixed temperature of 200°C. The structural properties of the synthesized Co3(PO4)2 nanosheets were investigated via XRD, FESEM‐EDS and TEM studies, while the electrochemical parameters were evaluated through CV, GCD, and EIS in a standard 3‐electrode cell with 1 M KOH as an electrolyte at a room temperature. The results reveal that Co3(PO4)2 nanosheets synthesized at 5 min microwave heating time exhibited maximum electrochemical performance owing to its excellent structural and morphological properties and thus reported a specific capacity of 130.98 and 164.52 C/g at a scan rate of 10 mV/s and a current density of 1 A/g, respectively. Furthermore, a stability test of the synthesized electrode material reported excellent cyclic stability of the electrode with 101% retention of the initial value of its specific capacity after 1000 cycles.
Temporal Complementarity Analysis of Wind and Solar Power Potential for Distributed Hybrid Electric Generation in Chile José Luis Muñoz-Pincheira, Lautaro Salazar, Felipe Sanhueza, Armin Lüer-Villagra Energies, 2024 We evaluate the temporal complementarity in daily averages between wind and solar power potential in Chile using Spearman’s correlation coefficient. We used hourly wind speed and solar radiation data for 176 geographic points from 2004 to 2016. The results allow us to identify four zones: Zone A1 on the coast and in the valleys in the north of Chile between latitudes 18° S and 36° S, with moderate positive correlation; Zone A2 in the north Andes between latitudes 25° S and 33° S, with weak negative correlation; Zone B in the center-south part of the country between latitudes 36° S and 51° S with moderate negative correlation; and Zone C in the south, between latitudes 51° S and 55° S with null or weak positive correlation. On the one hand, the interannual analysis shows that Zone A1 keeps uniform correlation values with negative asymmetry, i.e., higher correlation values. On the other hand, there is positive asymmetry in most of the years in Zone A2, i.e., lower (or negative) values of correlation. Zone B shows an interannual oscillation of the median correlation, while Zone C shows a larger dispersion in the interannual results. Significance analysis shows that 163 out of the 176 points are statistically significant, while Zones A1, A2, and B have significant correlations, with Zone C being marginally significant. The results obtained are relevant information for further studies on the location of hybrid generation facilities. We expect our methodology to be instrumental in Chile’s energetic transition to a 100% renewable generation matrix.
