High-temperature neutron diffraction study of La2-xSrxCoO4 : Correlation between structure and transport properties

This study focuses on the characterization of the structural and transport properties of the La_2-xSr_xCoO₄ solid solution. The wide temperature range investigated (30-750°C) has been chosen in view of the potential applications of this class of materials both as catalysts and as cathodes for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells. The trend vs temperature of several structural parameters, as well as of the transport properties, for the La_2-xSr_xCoO₄ series is complex and strongly dependent on composition. A possible correlation between the structural and the transport properties, based on changes in the average oxidation and spin state of the Co ions, is proposed.