Nondestructive characterization of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) materials has drawn attention owing to the advances in instrumentation that enable in situ characterization during high-temperature cell operation. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is widely used to investigate the surface of SOFC cathode materials because of its excellent chemical specificity and surface sensitivity. The XPS can be used to analyze the elemental composition and oxidation state of cathode layers from the surface to a depth of approximately 5-10 nm. Any change in the chemical state of the SOFC cathode at the surface affects the migration of oxygen ions to the cathode/electrolyte interface via the cathode layer and causes performance degradation. The objective of this article is to provide a comprehensive review of the adoption of XPS for the characterization of SOFC cathode materials to understand its degradation mechanism in absolute terms. The use of XPS to confirm the chemical stability at the interface and the enrichment of cations on the surface is reviewed. Finally, the strategies adopted to improve the structural stability and electrochemical performance of the LSCF cathode are also discussed.
Keywords: X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy; cathode; characterization; degradation; solid oxide fuel cell.