Preparation and characterization of Pr2NiO4+δ infiltrated into Gd-doped ceria as SOFC cathode

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - Composite electrodes of Pr2NiO4+δ and Gd-doped ceria (Ce0.8Gd0.2O1.90 so-called GDC) have been prepared starting from a Pr-Ni nitrate solution (2:1...     

Elaboration and characterization of La2NiO4+δ powders and thin films via a modified sol–gel process

Polycrystalline thin films of La₂NiO_4+δ have been synthesized on yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) substrates by dip-coating using a polymeric sol. Crack-free films were obtained after sintering in air at temperatures ranging from 800°C to 1000°C. The microstructure, characterized by SEM, shows the formation of dense polycrystalline films with smooth surface and mean grains size of 140 nm, for films sintered at 1000°C. A correlation between grains size and non-stoichiometry in powders have been made in our processes. The thickness, evaluated for rugosimetry measurements, is thin (80 nm) and is a function of the viscosity of the sol. The higher the thickness, the higher the viscosity. As the non-stoichiometry level is controlled by the oxygen partial pressure, an evolution of non-stoichiometry in thin film has proposed. Then, it is possible by modifying synthesis and processing parameters to prepare thin films with a controlled microstructure (thickness, porosity and non-stoichiometry).     

Preparation and electrical properties of Ca-doped La(2)NiO(4+δ) cathode materials for IT-SOFC

Ca-doped La(2)NiO(4+δ) is synthesized via the nitrate-citrate route. The effects of Ca substitution for La on the sinterability, lattice structure and electrical properties of La(2)NiO(4+δ) are investigated. Ca-doping is unfavorable for the densification process of La(2-x)Ca(x)NiO(4+δ) materials. The introduction of Ca leads to the elongation of the La-O(2) bond length, which provides more space for the migration of oxygen ion in La(2)O(2) rock salt layers. The substitution of Ca increases remarkably the electronic conductivity of La(2-x)Ca(x)NiO(4+δ). With increasing Ca-doping level, both the excess oxygen concentration and the activation energy of oxygen ion migration decrease, resulting in an optimization where a highest ionic conductivity is presented. Ca-doping is charge compensated by the oxidation of Ni(2+) to Ni(3+) and the desorption of excess oxygen. The substitution of Ca enhances the structural stability of La(2)NiO(4+δ) material at high temperatures and renders the material a good thermal cycleability. La(1.7)Ca(0.3)NiO(4+δ) exhibits an excellent chemical compatibility with CGO electrolyte. La(2-x)Ca(x)NiO(4+δ) is a promising cathode alternative for solid oxide fuel cells.     

Synthesis of LiNbO_3 via a hydrothermal route and characterization

Lithium niobate (LiNbO3) crystal, used in many optical fields, has been of great interest for fundamental science and applications in optics for many years due to its excellent ferroelectric properties such as piezoelectricity, pyroelectrical, electro-optical, photorefractive and nonlinear-optical properties. Several methods for synthesizing lithium niobate crystal have been reported, for instance Czochralski growth, top seeded solution growth (TSSG), liquid phase epitaxy, laser deposition, …     

Preparation of monodispersed ��-Fe2O3 nanoparticles by a hydrothermal synthetic route

Monodispersed ??-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles modified by sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS) surfactant and assisted by glycerol have been successfully synthesized via a hydrothermal process using FeCl₃·6H₂O as the starting precursor. These nanoparticles possess good crystallinity and have an average particle size of 100 nm. The as-prepared products are characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and a superconducting quantum interference device magnetometer. SDBS and glycerol played an important role in controlling the final morphology of the products. Magnetic hysteresis measurements reveal that monodispersed ??-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles exhibit normal ferromagnetic behaviors with the remanent magnetization and coercivity of 0.2389 emu/g and 2339.0 Oe at room temperature.     

Electrode performance of La2NiO4+δ cathodes in contact with La0.9Sr0.1ScO3−δ proton-conducting oxide

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - Ruddlesden-Popper-structured La2NiO4+δ oxide has been applied for the first time as the cathode for La0.9Sr0.1ScO3−δ proton-conducting...     

Mössbauer study of LiFeVPO x as a new cathode material for lithium-ion battery

The Mössbauer spectrum of LiFeVPO _x , LiFeV_0.5PO _x and LiFePO _x glasses prepared by conventional melt-quenching method for cathode active material is composed of a doublet due to distorted Fe^IIIO₄ tetrahedra. The Mössbauer spectrum of LiFePO _x glass has an additional doublet due to distorted Fe^IIO₆ octahedra. Heat treatment of LiFeVPO _x and LiFeV_0.5PO _x glasses at a given temperature close to each crystallization temperature causes a marked decrease in the value of Δ, reflecting a decrease in the distortion or an increase in the local symmetry of distorted Fe^IIIO₄ tetrahedra. Heat treatment of LiFeVPO _x glass causes an increase in the electric conductivity from the order of 10^?7 to 10^?3 S·cm^?1, together with an increase in the specific discharge-and charge-capacity of a coin-type Li-ion cell from 50 to 150 mAh·g^?1. These results prove that structural relaxation of the glass network causes an increase in the electric conductivity and an increase in the energy density of the Li-ion cell.     

Preparation and characterization of Ce1−xSmxO2−δ (x = 0.1–0.3) as electrolyte material for intermediate temperature SOFC

The effect of Sm doping on CeO₂ for its use as a solid electrolyte material for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs) has been explored here. Ce_1−xSm_xO_2−δ (x = 0.1–0.3) samples are successfully synthesized by carbonate co-precipitation method. TG–DTA, XRD, Raman, UV–Vis, FT-IR, SEM and ac-impedance are used for structural and electrical characterization. From the XRD patterns, well-crystalline cubic fluorite structured solid solution is confirmed. Lattice parameters increased with increase in Sm³⁺ while the crystallite size decreased. The optical absorption spectra exhibits a red shift for Sm³⁺ doped CeO₂. Raman spectra show an intense peak at 463 cm⁻¹, a characteristic peak for doped ceria. SEM shows cluster like particles. Based on ac-impedance data, the total oxygen ionic conductivity is highest for Ce_0.8Sm_0.2O_2−δ in the temperature range of 473–623 K.     

Novel SrSc0.2Co0.8O3−δ as a cathode material for low temperature solid-oxide fuel cell

The SrSc_0.2Co_0.8O_3−δ (SSC) perovskite was investigated as a cathode material for low temperature solid-oxide fuel cell. The material showed an almost linear thermal expansion from room temperature to 1000 °C in air with the average thermal expansion coefficient of only 16.9 × 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹. The Sc-doping made the absence of Co⁴⁺ in SSC, which resulted in not only dramatically reduced thermal expansion coefficient but also extremely high oxygen vacancies concentrations in the lattice at low temperature. The area specific polarization resistance was 0.206 Ω cm² for SSC at 550 °C, which is about 52% lower than the value of a Ba_0.5Sr_0.5Co_0.8Fe_0.2O_3−δ-based cathode. A peak power density as high as 564 mW cm⁻² was obtained at 500 °C based on a 20 μm thick Sm_0.2Ce_0.8O_1.9 electrolyte by adopting SSC cathode.     

Preparation of NiO/multiwalled carbon nanotube nanocomposite for use as the oxygen cathode catalyst in rechargeable Li–O2 batteries

NiO/multiwalled carbon nanotube (NiO/MWCNT) nanocomposites have been prepared and used for a Li–O₂ battery cathode catalyst. Electrochemical measurements demonstrate that the batteries with NiO/MWCNT catalyst have a discharge capacity of 2,500 mAh g^?1, a charge capacity of 2,100 mAh g^?1, and a rechargeable ability performing better than Ketjenblack (KB) and MWCNTs. KB has the largest discharge capacity (2,700 mAh g^?1) due to the highest surface area and pore volume but the worst charging behavior due to poor mass transport in the small-width pore (2.48 nm). MWCNTs have a much better charging performance owing to a larger pore width (8.93 nm) than carbon black. NiO/MWCNTs have the largest charge capacity because of the facilitated mass transport in the comparatively large pores (7.68 nm) and the increased catalytic ability produced by the NiO nanoparticles. These improvements are also responsible for the best cycle and rate performances of the nanocomposites among the three catalysts.     

Preparation and electrochemical properties of Ba0.8La0.2FeO3-δ cathode for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells

Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology - Perovskite Ba0.8La0.2FeO3-δ was synthesized via a glycine–nitrate process as the cathode material for intermediate-temperature solid oxide...     

Mn doping on Mössbauer spectroscopy of maricite-NaFePO4 as cathode material

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - Transition metal ion substitution in sodium phosphate is effective in enhancing the performance of a cathode material. The...     

Optimization on fabrication and performance of A-site-deficient La0.58Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3-δ cathode for SOFC

A-site-deficient perovskite cathode material La_0.58Sr_0.4Co_0.2Fe_0.8O_3 − δ (L58SCF) is coated on the yttria-stabilized zirconia electrolyte by screen-printing technique. Several key fabrication parameters including selection of additives (binder and pore former), effect of coating thickness, sintering temperature and time on the microstructure, and electrochemical performance of cathode are investigated by scanning electron microscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. We study the microstructure and the electrochemical property of the cathode with different kinds of additives. Results show that the cathode possesses fine microstructure, enough porosity, and ideal electrochemical property when polyvinyl butyral serves as both binder and pore former in the cathode. The cathode with three screen-printing coats (thickness 28 ± 7 μm, weight 6.07 ± 0.72 mg cm⁻²) sintering at 1,000 °C for 2 h shows lower polarization resistance of 0.183 Ω cm² at 800 °C. Based on the optimized parameters, the polarization resistances of the L58SCF–Ce_0.8Gd_0.2O_{1.9 – δ} composite cathode display the R _p values of 0.067 Ω cm² at 800 °C, 0.106 Ω cm² at 750 °C, 0.225 Ω cm² at 700 °C, and 0.550 Ω cm² at 650 °C.     

Anisotropic catalytic activity of the orientation controlled Nd2NiO4 + δ/YSZ hetero-epitaxial system for SOFC cathode

Electrode–electrolyte hetero-epitaxial systems for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) with two different configuration of Nd₂NiO_4 + δ(110)//YSZ(100) and Nd₂NiO_4 + δ(100)//YSZ(110) were successfully fabricated by pulsed laser deposition. Thin films of Nd₂NiO_4 + δ approximately 20 nm thick were grown on a commercial single crystal of YSZ. The preferred two-dimensional diffusion paths of the oxide ions were perpendicular to the substrate for both configurations and showed oxygen reduction capability different from each other. This opens up new research direction focusing on the details of anisotropic catalytic activity of SOFC cathode depending on the crystalline surface.     

Electrochemical characterisation of MBaCo3ZnO7+δ (M = Y,Er, Tb) as SOFC cathode material with low thermal expansion coefficient

The electrochemical oxygen activation at high temperature was studied on a new class of oxygen-store material based on the system YBaCo₄O_7+δ. Three different porous layers made of YBaCo₃ZnO_7+δ, ErBaCo₃ZnO_7+δ and TbBaCo₃ZnO_7+δ were electrochemically tested as oxygen activation coatings and showed a very promising activity. The envisaged applications for these materials are principally as SOFC cathodes and as catalytic layer on oxygen membranes. The electrochemical performance followed the order Tb ? Y > Er at any tested temperature. Area specific resistance for the best performing material (TbBaCo₃ZnO_7+δ) ranges from 30 mΩ cm² at 850 °C to 0.46 Ω cm² at 650 °C. High temperature XRD showed that the thermal expansion coefficient (25–900 °C) in air of TbBaCo₃ZnO₇ is 9.45 × 10^?6 K^?1, which evidences the good thermochemical compatibility of this cobalt-rich electrocatalyst with YSZ/GDC electrolytes.     

Microstructure and electrochemical properties of porous La2NiO4+δ electrode screen-printed on Ce0.8Sm0.2O1.9 electrolyte

Superfine and uniform La₂NiO_4+δ powder was synthesized by a polyaminocarboxylate complex precursor method. La₂NiO_4+δ layers were screen-printed on dense Ce_0.8Sm_0.2O_1.9 electrolyte substrates and sintered at 900–1,100 °C. The microstructure and electrochemical properties of the resulting porous electrodes were investigated with respect to sintering temperature. The results indicate a significant effect of sintering temperature on the microstructure and electrode polarization. It was found that elevating sintering temperature was favorable to the charge transfer process whereas undesired for the oxygen surface exchange process due to an increase of the grain size. Sintering at 900 °C was determined to be preferred in terms of the polarization resistance of the electrode. The porous electrode sintered at the temperature showed a fine-grained microstructure (about 200 nm) and a relatively low polarization resistance of 0.28 Ω cm² at 800 °C. This work suggests that preparing the electrode from superfine starting powder is contributive to modifying the polarization properties.     

Effects of oxygen vacancy on the electrochemical properties of γ-V2O5 as cathode material for lithium-ion batteries: a first-principle study

Generating oxygen vacancies is an effective way to improve the lithium-ion storage performance of V₂O₅. However, the mechanism has not been theoretically investigated. In this study, first-principle calculations were performed to study the effect of oxygen vacancy on electrochemical properties of γ-V₂O₅ as cathode material for lithium-ion batteries. γ-V₂O₅ with oxygen vacancy mole fraction of 1.67% shows an open circuit voltage about 0.1 V lower than that of the perfect γ-V₂O₅. Oxygen vacancies generates gap states, which is beneficial to the electronic conductivity of γ-V₂O₅ and γ-LiV₂O₅. In addition, the activation energies for lithium-ion diffusion along [010] in both γ-V₂O₅ and γ-LiV₂O₅ are increased by oxygen vacancy, which might lead to the decrease of diffusion coefficient. Our results will provide guidance for further improving the lithium-ion storage performance of γ-V₂O₅.

     

V2O5·0.6H2O nanoribbons as cathode material for asymmetric supercapacitor in K2SO4 solution

V₂O₅·0.6H₂O nanoribbons were prepared and their electrochemical behaviors in K₂SO₄ aqueous solution were investigated. Results show for the first time that K⁺ ions could intercalate/deintercalate reversibly in the V₂O₅·0.6H₂O lattice. An asymmetric supercapacitor activated carbon/0.5 mol/l K₂SO₄/V₂O₅·0.6H₂O was successfully assembled, which could be cycled reversibly in the voltage region of 0–1.8 V. This supercapacitor presents an energy density of 29.0 Wh/kg based on the total mass of the active electrode materials, a very good rate behavior with energy density of 20.3 Wh/kg at power density of 2 kW/kg, and also a rather good cycling performance.     

Electrochemical ageing study of mixed lanthanum/praseodymium nickelates La2-xPrxNiO4+δ as oxygen electrodes for solid oxide fuel or electrolysis cells

The chemical and electrochemical stability of lanthanide nickelates La2 NiO4+δ(LNO),Pr2 NiO4+δ(PNO)and their mixed compounds La(2-x)PrxNiO4+δ(LPNOs)with x=0.5,1 or 1.5 is reported.The aim is to promote these materials as efficient electrodes for solid oxide fuel cell(SOFC)and/or solid oxide electrolysis cell(SOEC).La2 NiO4+δand La1.5Pr0.5NiO4+δcompounds are chemically very stable as powders over one month in the temperature range 600-800℃,while the other materials rich in praseodymium progressively decompose into various perovskite-deriving components with additional Pr6 O11.Despite their uneven properties,all these materials are quite efficient and sustainable as electrodes on top of gadolinium doped ceria(GDCBL)//yttrium doped zirconia(8 YSZ)electrolyte,for one month at 700℃without polarization.Under polarization(300 mA·cm-2),the electrochemical performances of LNO,PNO and La1.5Pr0.5NiO4+δ(LP5 NO)quickly degrade in SOFC mode,i.e.for the oxygen reduction reaction,while they show durability in SOEC mode,i.e.for the oxide oxidation reaction.     

Electrocatalysis of polysulfide conversion via sulfur–cobalt CoS2 on a carbon nanotube surface as a cathode for high-performance lithium–sulfur batteries

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - Lithium–sulfur batteries received intense attention because of their high-energy density and inexpensive active material. However, the poor...