Stable and high conductivity ceria/bismuth oxide bilayer electrolytes for lower temperature solid oxide fuel cells

A highly conductive bismuth oxide/ceria bilayer electrolyte was developed to reduce solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) operating temperatures. Bilayer electrolytes were fabricated by depositing a layer of Er_0.2Bi_0.8O_1.5 (ESB) of varying thickness via pulsed laser deposition and dip-coating on a Sm_0.2Ce_0.8O_1.9 (SDC) substrate. The open-circuit potential (OCP) and ionic transference number (t _i) of ESB/SDC electrolytes were tested in a fuel cell arrangement as a function of relative thickness, temperature, and with H₂/H₂O and CO/CO₂ on the anode side and air on the cathode side. These EMF measurements showed a significant increase in OCP and t _i with the bilayer structure, as compared to the cells with a single SDC electrolyte layer. Furthermore, improvement in the OCP and t _i of bilayer SOFCs was observed with increasing relative thickness of the ESB layers. Hence, the bilayer structure overcomes the limited thermodynamic stability of bismuth oxides and prevents electronic conductivity of ceria-based oxides in reducing atmosphere.     

Oxygen exchange kinetics of La0.58Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3 at 600 °C in dry and humid atmospheres

The time-dependent degradation of the oxygen exchange kinetics of the solid oxide fuel cell cathode material La_0.58Sr_0.4Co_0.2Fe_0.8O_3 − δ (LSCF) is investigated at 600 °C. Special emphasis is placed on systematic long-term dc-conductivity relaxation measurements (t > 1000 h) in dry as well as in humidified atmospheres in order to obtain representative trends for the application of LSCF in intermediate-temperature SOFCs. The determination of the chemical surface exchange coefficient k_chem of oxygen is combined with investigations of the elemental surface compositions and depth profiles of fresh and degraded samples by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), providing further insight into the mechanisms of degradation. The slow decrease of k_chem by a factor of 2 during exposure of the sample to a dry O₂-Ar reference atmosphere for 1000 h at 600 °C can be ascribed to an enrichment of La and Sr in correlation with an elevated oxygen concentration within about 30-35 nm depth. The interpretation of the XPS core level spectra indicates the formation of SrO and La₂O₃ secondary phases in this zone. The subsequent treatment in a humidified atmosphere for 1000 h results in a pronounced initial decrease of k_chem by an additional factor of 10, followed by a time dependent decay of about 15% kh^− 1. A Sr-rich silicate layer of about 10 nm thickness is identified by XPS as the major cause of the degradation in humidified atmosphere. The evidence of Si-poisoning over the whole sample surface could also be confirmed by post-test SEM analysis. In addition, indications of a re-structuring of the sample surface during the degradation are shown. These results indicate, that with LSCF as a cathode in ambient (humid) air in SOFC stacks containing various Si-sources, such as glass or glass-ceramic seals, and thermal insulation materials a significant decrease of the surface oxygen exchange coefficient can occur, even at temperatures as low as 600 °C. In order to prevent a severe Si-induced degradation, dry air should be used as an oxidant. However, even in dry atmosphere a minor decrease of k_chem can occur during long-term operation due to changes in the relative cation and oxygen content at the surface.     

Influence of colloidal templates on the impedance spectroscopic behaviour of Pr0.7Sr0.3Fe0.8Ni0.2O3 for solid oxide fuel cell applications

The creation of porous materials with three-dimensional periodicity has been identified as being of potential interest for increasing the overall performance of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC). In this work, we have investigated the formation of pore systems in the nanometer scale by replicating colloidal templates. Templating methods have been used to prepare iron-nickel-based perovskite Pr_0.7Sr_0.3Fe_0.8Ni_0.2O₃ material with nanoporous microstructure. Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polystyrene (PS) and polycarboxylate (PC) microspheres with different diameters were used as pore formers. These samples were synthesized and characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy. The polarization resistance of the materials was studied by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy. The study demonstrated that templated porosity is maintained and highly influences on the impedance spectroscopic behaviour, being the material synthesized with policarboxylate microspheres the most interesting of the three used templates for SOFC applications.     

High temperature oxidation behavior of interconnect coated with LSCF and LSM for solid oxide fuel cell by screen printing

The current study examined the effect of La_0.6Sr_0.4Co_0.2Fe_0.8O₃ (LSCF) and La_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃ (LSM) coatings on the electrical properties and oxidation resistance of Crofer22 APU at 800 °C hot air. LSCF and LSM were coated on Crofer22 APU by screen printing and sintered over temperatures ranging from 1000 to 1100 °C in N₂. The coated alloy was first checked for compositions, morphology and interface conditions and then treated in a simulated oxidizing environment at 800 °C for 200 h. After measuring the long-term electrical resistance, the area specific resistance (ASR) at 800 °C for the alloy coated with LSCF was less than its counterpart coated with LSM. This work used LSCF coating as a metallic interconnect to reduce working temperature for the solid oxide fuel cell.     

H2S Solid oxide fuel cell based on a modified Barium cerate perovskite proton conductor

Urea combustion method was adopted to prepare precursor powder, MCeO₃ doped with Zr (M is alkaline earth element, such as barium, strontium, and calcium). The precursor powder has typically perovskite structure after being calcined at 873 K. In 773 K∼1,273 K, BaCe_0.425Zr_0.475Y_0.1O₃ has the highest conductivity above 10⁻² S cm⁻¹ and good chemical stability, while the phase transition may exist in H₂S atmosphere for the proton conductors. In the single fuel cell composed of MoS₂-BaCe_0.425Zr_0.475Y_0.1O_3-σ-Ag with BaCe_0.425Zr_0.475Y_0.1O_3-σ as electrolyte, the best performance is obtained. The open circuit voltage of fuel cell is all about 0.72 V, the max power density, 1.55 mW cm⁻². The performance drop is attributed to ohmic loss resulting from the separation of electrolyte and electrode, and improvement is required to bring out new anode materials compatible to the proton conductor, BaCe_0.425Zr_0.475Y_0.1O_3-σ, as electrolyte.     

Ln1−xSrxCoO3(Ln = Sm, Dy) for the electrode of solid oxide fuel cells

The perovskite-type oxides were synthesized in the series of Ln_1−xSr_xCoO₃(Ln = Sm, Dy). The formation of solid solutions in Dy_{1 − x}Sr_xCoO₃ was limited, compared with that in Sm_{1 − x}Sr_xCoO₃. The electrical conductivities of the sintered samples were measured as a function of x in the temperature range 30 to 1000 °C. The highest conductivity of around 500 S/cm at 1000 °C was found in Sm_0.7Sr_0.3CoO₃. The reactivity of all the samples with YSZ was examined at 800–1000 °C for 96 h. The Sr-doped perovskite oxides were more reactive with YSZ and produced SrZrO₃ at 900 °C after 96 h. However, no reaction product between SmCoO₃ and YSZ was observed at 1000 °C for 96 h. The cathodic polarization of the oxide electrodes, sputtered on yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ), was studied at 800–1000 °C in air. SmCoO₃ shows no degradation of the electrode performance at higher temperatures. The thermal expansion measurements on the sintered samples were carried out from room temperature to 1000 °C. Large thermal expansion coefficients were found in these samples.     

Characterization of solid oxide fuel cells based on solid electrolytes or mixed ionic electronic conductors

The relation between cell voltage (V_cell), applied chemical potential difference (Δμ(O₂)) and cell current (I_t) for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) based on mixed ionic electronic conductors is derived by considering also the effect of electrode impedance. Four-probe measurements, combined with current interruption analysis, are considered to yield the relation between ionic current (I_i) and overpotential (η). The theoretical relations are used to analyze experiments on fuel cells with Ce_0.8Sm_0.2O_1.9 and Ce_0.8Gd_0.2O_1.9 electrolytes with La_0.8Sr_0.16CoO₃ or Pt as the cathode and Ni/Ce_0.9Ca_0.1O_1.9−xor Pt as the anode. The electrode overpotentials of these cells, determined by current interruption measurements, are discussed assuming different models including impeded mass transport in the gas phase for molecular and monoatomic oxygen and Butler-Volmer type charge transfer overpotential.     

Electrochemical performance of mixed ionic–electronic conducting oxides as anodes for solid oxide fuel cell

Mixed ionic–electronic conducting (MIEC) oxides, SrFeCo_0.5O_x, SrCo_0.8Fe_0.2O_3−δ and La_0.6Sr_0.4Fe_0.8Co_0.2O_3−δ have been synthesized and prepared on yttria-stabilized zirconia as anodes for solid oxide fuel cells. Power output measurements show that the anodes composed of such kinds of oxides exhibit modest electrochemical activities to both H₂ and CH₄ fuels, giving maximum power densities of around 0.1 W/cm² at 950°C. Polarization and AC impedance measurements found that large activation overpotentials and ohmic resistance drops were the main causes for the relative inferior performance to the Ni-YSZ anode. While interlayered with an Ni-YSZ anode, a significant improvement in the electrochemical performance was observed. In particular, for the SrFeCo_0.5O_x oxide interlayered Ni-YSZ anode, the maximum power output reaches 0.25 W/cm² on CH₄, exceeding those of both SrFeCo_0.5O_x and the Ni-YSZ, as anodes alone. A synergetic effect of SrFeCo_0.5O_x and the Ni-YSZ has been observed. Future work is needed to examine the long-term stability of MIEC oxide electrodes under a very reducing environment.     

中温固体氧化物燃料电池的基本性质测量

介绍了固体氧化物燃料电池的工作原理,测量了中温薄膜固体氧化物燃料电池的开路电压、放电曲线及功率曲线,并分析了电池内阻随电流密度的变化.     

Synthesis and electrical conductivity of various melilite-type electrolytes Ln1 + xSr1 − xGa3O7 + x/2

Melilite type ceramics ABC₃O₇ such as La_1.54Sr_0.46Ga₃O_7.27 are a new class of oxide conductors where the conductivity is carried out through interstitial oxygen ions. This work presents the attempt to replace the A-site element La with the other lanthanide elements and Y, resulting in various Ln_1 + xSr_1 − xGa₃O_7 + x/2 ceramics, in which Ln = La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Yb, Y, and 0.1 < x < 0.54. X-ray diffraction analysis shows that the melilite structure could be formed when the replacement is conducted with most lanthanides but not Yb and Y. Impedance spectroscopy demonstrates that the conductivity decreases dramatically with the decreasing of Ln³⁺ size and the charge-carrier concentration. These results suggest that, as an interstitial oxide ion electrolyte, La_1.54Sr_0.46Ga₃O_7.27 is the most promising ceramic in the Ln_1 + xSr_1 − xGa₃O_7+x/2 melilite family since La³⁺ has the largest ionic radius of the lanthanide elements.     

A tubular segmented-in-series solid oxide fuel cell with metallic interconnect films: A performance study through mathematical simulations

In a segmented-in-series solid oxide fuel cell (SIS-SOFC), an interconnect (IC) provides electrical contact and sealing between the anode of one cell and the cathode of the next. A metallic silver-glass composite (SGC) is considered a promising alternative to ceramic IC materials in SIS-SOFCs. In this work, a simulation study is performed on a tubular SIS-SOFC to assess the effectiveness of the SGC-IC design and to predict the SOFC performance characteristics for various IC geometries and conductivities. The developed model provides detailed information on cell behavior, such as the internal resistance, the potential/current distribution, and the local gas species concentration. The results demonstrate that the SGC material greatly reduces a potential drop across the IC film. Thus, it provides the following substantial advantages over conventional ceramic IC materials: (i) increased power density and (ii) a larger degree of flexibility in the cell design. Moreover, the validation test, i.e., comparison of the simulated results with the experimental data, indicates that the model could serve as a valuable tool for design optimization to achieve the required SOFC performance.     

Effect of uniaxial stress on ionic conductivity of 14 mol%-yttria-stabilized zirconia single crystal

In the present study, the ionic conductivity of the 14 mol%-yttria stabilized zirconia single crystal subjected to the tensile or compressive stress was examined at various temperatures. The conductivity was increased by the tensile stress and the improvement in the conductivity was higher at the lower temperature and also for the specimen with the <100> orientation. On the other hand, the conductivity was decreased by the compressive stress. The change by the compressive stress was higher at the lower temperature, but it was generally smaller than that in the tensile test. The maximum improvement achieved by applying the tensile stress was about 18% at 850 K in the present study. The present experimental results qualitatively agreed with the molecular dynamics simulations on the oxygen diffusion. The oxygen displacement in the fluorite lattice caused by the applied stress could be attributed to the change in the conductivity.     

Model NSR catalysts: Fabrication and reactivity of barium oxide layers on Cu(1 1 1)

The growth of barium oxide on a Cu(1 1 1) substrate, formed by the deposition of barium and its subsequent oxidation, yields stable BaO films which expose predominantly the BaO(1 0 0) surface. The interaction of the oxide films with common components of motor-vehicle exhaust gases (CO₂, H₂O, NO_x) has been studied using surface analytical techniques, including X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), temperature programmed desorption (TPD) and reflection IR spectroscopy (RAIRS). The spectroscopic identification of Ba(OH)₂, BaCO₃ and Ba(NO₂)₂ phases is discussed, and the relative stabilities and decomposition mechanisms of these materials when supported on Cu(1 1 1) is revealed by a combination of TPD and XPS. BaO is shown to be resistant to reaction with pure NO and NO/O₂ mixtures, but exposure to NO₂ leads to the rapid formation of barium nitrite. The formation of the nitrite is proposed to be the first-step in the production of barium nitrate, which has previously been shown to be the main phase involved in NO_x storage and reduction (NSR) catalysis.     

Variety of iron silicides grown on Si(0 0 1) surfaces by solid phase epitaxy: Schematic phase diagram

We systematically studied the formation of various iron-silicide phases, grown on Si(0 0 1) surfaces by solid phase epitaxy, with scanning tunneling microscopy, low-energy electron diffraction and reflection high-energy electron diffraction. We found and studied the phases of c(2 × 2) islands, rectangle-like islands, elongated islands, layered islands, dome-like islands, eddy and cracked structures, and small clusters. A schematic phase diagram of these phases is successfully summarized against iron coverage at room temperature and subsequent annealing temperature.     

Growth and structure of vanadium oxide on anatase (1 0 1) terraces

The interaction of vanadium oxide with epitaxial anatase films exposing (1 0 1) terraces was characterized. The TiO₂ films were grown on vicinal LaAlO₃ (1 1 0) substrates by oxygen plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy (OPA-MBE); reflection high energy and low energy electron diffraction (RHEED and LEED) indicated that the films exposed (1 0 1) terraces of the anatase TiO₂ polymorph. When a vanadium oxide monolayer was deposited onto the anatase surface by OPA-MBE at 725 K, only (1 × 1) RHEED and LEED patterns were observed. The V X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) peak intensities indicated that the monolayer wetted the anatase surface and so the diffraction patterns were attributed to an epitaxial vanadia layer. Analysis of the vanadium oxide monolayer by X-ray and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopies revealed that the V was predominantly 5+. When the vanadia coverage was increased at 725 K, Auger electron spectra showed only very slow attenuation of the anatase Ti peaks while spots began to develop in RHEED patterns recorded along the LaAlO₃ direction; both indicative of 3-D cluster formation. In the orthogonal direction, the RHEED patterns showed unusual diagonal streaks. Meanwhile, the (1 × 1) LEED pattern persisted even after 30 nm of vanadia was deposited. This was attributed to gaps between the 3-D clusters exposing the epitaxial monolayer. Core level XPS spectra of the 3-D clusters revealed a broad V 2p_3/2 peak that was centered at the position expected for V⁴⁺ but could be deconvoluted into three peaks corresponding to V³⁺, V⁴⁺, and V⁵⁺. It is shown that crystallographic shear that accommodates such variations in the oxygen content of V oxides can lead to the diagonal streaks in RHEED patterns recorded along the LaAlO₃ [0 0 1] direction even as the pattern in the orthogonal direction shows sharp transmission spots. The results show that vanadia growth on anatase (1 0 1) proceeds through the Stranski-Krastanov mode with a strong vanadia-titania interaction stabilizing a dispersed vanadia monolayer. The results are compared with previous data for vanadia growth on anatase (0 0 1) where smooth, epitaxial VO₂ films grow ad infinitum.     

固体氧化物燃料电池模式阳极内传输与电化学反应耦合机理

模式电极因其结构可控、电化学/化学反应活性位和物质传输路径明确等优势,被广泛应用于固体氧化物燃料电池新型电极研究.现有研究多采用模式电极研究新材料电化学特性、表界面催化反应机理等,尚未涉及几何结构对其内部传输与电化学反应耦合机理的影响,限制了模式电极的应用.本文建立了固体氧化物燃料电池阳极内电荷传输与电化学反应过程的格子玻尔兹曼模拟方法,明确了控制电极过程的关键无量纲参数及其对电极性能的影响规律,研究了模式阳极几何结构的影响机理.根据电极性能对无量纲参数的敏感程度,绘制了指导模式阳极设计与运行的相图,指出相图过渡区(电极性能随操作参数显著变化区域)为进行反应机理研究的最佳操作参数取值范围.同时,研究发现模式阳极电子导体内电子的快速迁移虽不限制阳极性能,其几何结构显著影响过渡区范围;离子导体内离子迁移为影响阳极性能的限速步骤,但其几何结构几乎不影响过渡区范围.本文的数值方法与机理研究结果可为固体氧化物燃料电池模式电极的设计提供重要理论依据.     

Formation of atomically smooth SiO2/SiC interfaces at ∼120 °C by use of nitric acid oxidation method

Conventional thermal oxidation of SiC requires heating at ∼1100 °C. In the present study, we have developed a method of oxidizing SiC at low temperatures (i.e., ∼120 °C) to form relatively thick silicon dioxide (SiO₂) layers by use of nitric acid. When 4H-SiC(0 0 0 1) wafers are immersed in 40 wt% HNO₃ at the boiling temperature of 108 °C and the boiling is kept for 5 h after reaching the azeotropic point (i.e., 68 wt% HNO₃ at 121 °C), 8.1 nm thick SiO₂ layers are formed on the SiC substrates. High resolution transmission electron microscopy measurements show that the SiO₂/SiC interface is atomically flat and the SiO₂ layer is uniform without bunching. When SiC is immersed in an azeotropic mixture of HNO₃ with water from the first, the SiO₂ thickness is less than 0.3 nm. The metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) diodes with the SiO₂ layer formed by the nitric acid oxidation method possess a considerably low leakage current density.     

连续梯度的功能层对燃料电池在初始还原过程中曲率及残余应力的影响

连续梯度的电极由于其相对于多层梯度电极能更加有效地缓解电极和电解质的热失配及改善界面黏接而受到特别的关注. 本文通过建立含连续梯度的阳极功能层的阳极支撑固体氧化物燃料电池的力学模型, 研究了连续梯度的阳极功能层对阳极支撑固体氧化物燃料电池半电池在初始还原过程中曲率及残余应力的影响. 结果表明电池的曲率在初始还原过程中随还原程度的增大而逐渐增大. 连续梯度的阳极功能层的引入不能同时改善电池的曲率和残余应力, 即连续梯度的阳极功能层在缓解应力的同时会导致曲率的增大, 反之亦然. 含有连续梯度的阳极功能层的电池在部分还原状态下, 梯度层/阳极支撑界面处具有最大的拉应力容易导致电池受损, 实际中应保证电池被完全还原.     

First-principles study on the catalytic role of Ag in the oxygen adsorption of LaMnO3(0 0 1) surface

In the present paper, the catalytic role of Ag in the oxygen adsorption of LaMnO₃(0 0 1) surface has been theoretically investigated using first-principles calculations based on the density functional theory (DFT) and pseudopotential method. The O₂ adsorption energy is larger for the vertical adsorption and the covalent bond was formed between O₂ molecule and surface Mn. The calculation of electronic properties of interaction between Ag atom and LaMnO₃(0 0 1) surface demonstrates that the most stable position for Ag adsorption is hollow site. The O₂ adsorption energy dramatically increased from 0.298 eV to 1.108 eV due to Ag pre-adsorbed. It is Ag pre-adsorbed that facilitates O₂ adsorption on surface. The bond length and bond population of O₂ molecule indicate that Ag atom facilitates O₂ molecule dissociative adsorption. The Ag atom strengthens LaMnO₃(0 0 1) substrate activity and activity center was formed on surface, which enhances the electrocatalytic activity of LaMnO₃ as solid oxide fuel cells cathode material at low temperature.     

Catalytic activity of carbon-supported iridium oxide for oxygen reduction reaction as a Pt-free catalyst in polymer electrolyte fuel cell

Iridium oxide supported on Vulcan XC-72 carbon black (IrO₂/C) as a cathode catalyst for polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) has been characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurement. The IrO₂ particles were 8-160 nm in diameter. The oxygen electroreduction activity was studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV). It was found that IrO₂/C had high oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity. The performance of the membrane electrode assemble (MEA) was also tested in a single PEFC and showed that IrO₂/C catalyst would be potential candidates for use as cathode catalyst in PEFC.