Lanthanum Strontium Ferrite Cobaltite

Lanthanum Strontium Ferrite Cobaltite (LSCF6428) is the industry-benchmark mixed ionic-electronic conducting cathode powder for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells. Fixed at the standardised (La0.6Sr0.4)0.95Fe0.8Co0.2O3 stoichiometry, this fine, phase-pure perovskite powder delivers the high oxygen-reduction activity and dual-transport conductivity that have made LSCF the default cathode choice for IT-SOFC and SOEC stacks operating at 600-800°C. Supplied as a submicron powder engineered for consistent sintering behaviour and reproducible electrode microstructure, Infinita’s LSCF6428 gives fuel cell developers a drop-in, lot-to-lot consistent material for cathode screen-printing, tape casting, and infiltration processes. Whether scaling a stack design or qualifying a new cell architecture, this standardised-composition powder removes formulation variability from the cathode side of the equation.

Surface Area (m²/g) :	10-15
Particle size d₅₀ (μm) :	<0.5
Purity (%) :	>=99.9

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Description

Introduction to Lanthanum Strontium Ferrite Cobaltite (LSCF) Powder

LSCF6428 (La₀.₆Sr₀.₄Co₀.₂Fe₀.₈O₃₋δ) is a rhombohedrally distorted perovskite oxide (R-3c) exhibiting mixed ionic-electronic conductivity (MIEC). Sr²⁺ substitution for La³⁺ promotes oxygen vacancies and mixed Fe³⁺/Fe⁴⁺ and Co³⁺/Co⁴⁺ valence states, while cobalt enhances electronic conductivity and oxygen-reduction activity. Its MIEC behaviour allows oxygen reduction across the cathode surface rather than being restricted to the electrolyte/electrode/gas triple-phase boundary, enabling efficient SOFC operation around 600–800 °C. Because LSCF can react with YSZ to form resistive secondary phases, GDC or SDC barrier layers are commonly used at the electrolyte interface. Supplied as fine, free-flowing powder with controlled particle size and surface area, LSCF6428 is suitable for screen printing, tape casting, spray coating, and infiltration. It is widely used in SOFC cathodes, oxygen-permeation membranes, and other electrochemical oxygen-reduction applications.

FAQs

Question: How does (La0.6Sr0.4)0.95Fe0.8Co0.2 oxide perform in distributed power generation?

Answer: Lanthanum Strontium Ferrite Cobaltite is known for its excellent power density and reliable performance for distributed power generation, thus making it suitable for on-site energy production that leaves minimal environmental impact.

Question: How does Lanthanum Strontium Ferrite Cobaltite perform in harsh environments?

Answer: Lanthanum Strontium Ferrite Cobaltite is highly resistant to thermal cycling and chemical degradation, ensuring long-term reliability even under challenging operating conditions.

Question: How does Lanthanum Strontium Ferrite Cobaltite contribute to fuel cell efficiency?

Answer: The material offers excellent electrochemical stability, high ionic conductivity, and enhanced catalytic activity, all of which contribute to fuel cells' higher efficiency and long-term stability.

Question: What particle size and surface area suit cathode fabrication best?

Answer: Submicron D50 (<0.5 µm) powder with 10-15 m²/g surface area balances good sinterability with the porous, high-surface-area microstructure needed for gas diffusion and ORR kinetics. Finer nanopowder grades are typically reserved for infiltration-based cathode processes where even higher active surface area is required.

Introduction to Lanthanum Strontium Ferrite Cobaltite (LSCF) Powder

Property	Value	Significance
Ionic Conductivity (oxide-ion)	~0.01 – 0.1 S/cm at 600-800°C	Allows oxygen ions to migrate through the cathode bulk, extending the ORR active zone beyond the triple-phase boundary
Electronic Conductivity	~200 – 300 S/cm at 600-800°C	High electron mobility from mixed Fe/Co valence states supports rapid charge transfer to the current collector
Particle Size (D50)	<0.5 µm (submicron)	Fine particle size promotes sinterability, uniform shrinkage, and high active surface area in the fired electrode.
Surface Area (BET)	10 – 15 m²/g	Higher surface area increases available reaction sites for the oxygen reduction reaction.
Purity	99% – 99.9%	High phase purity limits secondary phases (SrO, La2O3, Co3O4) that degrade conductivity and long-term stability
Density (crystallographic)	~6.2 – 6.6 g/cm³ (theoretical)	Used to calculate target relative density/porosity of sintered cathode layers during process development
CAS Number	148595-66-8	Used for regulatory documentation and procurement; distinct from the CAS commonly (and incorrectly) cited for iron-free LSC
Crystal Structure	Rhombohedral perovskite (R-3c), shifting toward cubic (Pm-3m) above ~800-900°C	Perovskite lattice accommodates oxygen vacancies central to MIEC transport; the phase transition affects thermal expansion matching with the electrolyte.

Property

Value

Significance

Ionic Conductivity (oxide-ion)

~0.01 – 0.1 S/cm at 600-800°C

Allows oxygen ions to migrate through the cathode bulk, extending the ORR active zone beyond the triple-phase boundary

Electronic Conductivity

~200 – 300 S/cm at 600-800°C

High electron mobility from mixed Fe/Co valence states supports rapid charge transfer to the current collector

Particle Size (D50)

<0.5 µm (submicron)

Fine particle size promotes sinterability, uniform shrinkage, and high active surface area in the fired electrode.

Surface Area (BET)

10 – 15 m²/g

Higher surface area increases available reaction sites for the oxygen reduction reaction.

Purity

99% – 99.9%

High phase purity limits secondary phases (SrO, La2O3, Co3O4) that degrade conductivity and long-term stability

Density (crystallographic)

~6.2 – 6.6 g/cm³ (theoretical)

Used to calculate target relative density/porosity of sintered cathode layers during process development

CAS Number

148595-66-8

Used for regulatory documentation and procurement; distinct from the CAS commonly (and incorrectly) cited for iron-free LSC

Crystal Structure

Rhombohedral perovskite (R-3c), shifting toward cubic (Pm-3m) above ~800-900°C

Perovskite lattice accommodates oxygen vacancies central to MIEC transport; the phase transition affects thermal expansion matching with the electrolyte.

Grade / Form	Typical Purity	Key Features / Uses
Standard SOFC Cathode Grade (IN-LSCF)	≥99.9%	Fine, phase-pure powder for screen-printed and spray-coated IT-SOFC cathode layers
Nanopowder / High-Surface-Area Grade	99% – 99.9%	Sub-100 nm primary particle size, 15-20 m²/g surface area, for thin-film and infiltrated cathodes
Ink/Paste Formulation	≥99% (solids basis)	Pre-dispersed in organic vehicle for screen printing and tape casting of cathode layers
Composite LSCF-GDC Blend	≥99% combined	Pre-mixed with Gd-doped ceria to reduce Sr diffusion and interfacial reactivity at the electrolyte interface
Dense Pellet / Target Grade	≥99.9%	Hot-pressed, sintered dense pellet for PVD/PLD deposition of research-scale thin-film cathodes

Grade / Form

Typical Purity

Key Features / Uses

Standard SOFC Cathode Grade (IN-LSCF)

≥99.9%

Fine, phase-pure powder for screen-printed and spray-coated IT-SOFC cathode layers

Nanopowder / High-Surface-Area Grade

99% – 99.9%

Sub-100 nm primary particle size, 15-20 m²/g surface area, for thin-film and infiltrated cathodes

Ink/Paste Formulation

≥99% (solids basis)

Pre-dispersed in organic vehicle for screen printing and tape casting of cathode layers

Composite LSCF-GDC Blend

≥99% combined

Pre-mixed with Gd-doped ceria to reduce Sr diffusion and interfacial reactivity at the electrolyte interface

Dense Pellet / Target Grade

≥99.9%

Hot-pressed, sintered dense pellet for PVD/PLD deposition of research-scale thin-film cathodes

Industry	Application	Function
Energy / Fuel Cells	Intermediate-temperature SOFC cathode	Catalyses oxygen reduction and conducts both oxygen ions and electrons across the full electrode surface
Energy Storage	Solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) oxygen electrode	Supports reversible operation, evolving oxygen with low overpotential during electrolysis mode
Automotive Industry / Fuel Cell APUs	Auxiliary power units for heavy trucks, marine, and aviation	Provides compact, high-efficiency onboard power generation compatible with hydrocarbon fuel reforming
Distributed & Backup Power	Stationary SOFC combined heat and power (CHP) systems	Enables high electrical efficiency at reduced operating temperature versus high-temperature SOFC designs
Materials Research	Cathode-electrolyte interface and barrier-layer studies	Serves as the model MIEC cathode for studying GDC/SDC interlayer performance and degradation mechanisms
Portable & Remote Power	Lightweight auxiliary power for off-grid and remote systems	Lower operating temperature range improves start-up time and thermal cycling durability

Industry

Application

Function

Energy / Fuel Cells

Intermediate-temperature SOFC cathode

Catalyses oxygen reduction and conducts both oxygen ions and electrons across the full electrode surface

Energy Storage

Solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) oxygen electrode

Supports reversible operation, evolving oxygen with low overpotential during electrolysis mode

Automotive Industry / Fuel Cell APUs

Auxiliary power units for heavy trucks, marine, and aviation

Provides compact, high-efficiency onboard power generation compatible with hydrocarbon fuel reforming