Copper-substituted perovskite compositions for solid oxide fuel cell cathodes and oxygen reduction electrodes in other electrochemical devices

A method for producing electrical energy, comprising:

• providing a solid oxide fuel cell, the solid oxide fuel cell including a layer of ceramic ion conducting electrolyte defining first and second opposing surfaces;
• a conductive anode layer positioned at the first surface of said electrolyte layer;
• and a conductive cathode layer positioned at the second surface of said electrolyte layer;
• wherein said electrolyte layer is disposed between said anode layer and said cathode layer;
• wherein said conductive cathode layer comprises a copper-substituted ferrite perovskite material and the copper-substituted ferrite perovskite material is in contact with said electrolyte layer;
• causing air or other oxidizing gas to flow in contact with the cathode layer;
• and
• causing a fuel gas to flow in contact with the anode layer to provide electrical energy.

A solid oxide fuel cell for electrochemically reacting a fuel gas with an oxidant gas to produce a DC output voltage, said solid oxide fuel cell comprising:

• a layer of ceramic ion conducting electrolyte defining first and second opposing surfaces;
• a conductive anode layer positioned at the first surface of said electrolyte layer;
• and
• a conductive cathode layer positioned at the second surface of said electrolyte layer;
• wherein said electrolyte layer is disposed between said anode layer and said cathode layer;
• and
• wherein said conductive cathode layer comprises a copper-substituted lanthanum ferrite perovskite material that includes at least one B-site dopant selected from the group consisting of nickel, cobalt, manganese, aluminum and chromium;
• wherein said solid oxide fuel cell is operable at temperatures less than about 750° C.