H2/Pt/Ce0.9Gd0.1O1.95/Pt/O2 fuel cell operated in the intermediate temperature range 500 – 700°C

Ce_0.9Gd_0.1O_1.95 (GCO), is one of the potential candidate electrolytes for intermediate temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (ITSOFC). GCO has high oxide ion conductivity in the intermediate temperature range (500 – 700 °C) compared to other Ce_1−yGd_yO_2-2/y compositions and the Gd³⁺ ion is the most appropriate dopant material compared to other rare earth materials such as Sm³⁺, Y³⁺, Zr³⁺, etc. Our results show that the fuel cell H₂/Pt/Ce_0.9Gd_0.1O_1.95/Pt/O₂ operated in the temperature range 500 – 700°C gives the maximum power densities 0.0049 W/cm² at 500 °C and 0.0126 W/cm² at 650 °C for cell voltages 0.6275 V and 0.6278 V, respectively, where the electrolyte was kept in 5% H₂ (+ Argon) for 12 hours before use in the fuel cell. Maximum power densities are 0.0038 W/cm² at 500 °C and 0.0270 W/cm² at 650 °C for cell voltages 0.5986 and 0.5913 V, respectively, where the electrolyte was kept in 2 % O₂ (+ Argon) for 12 hours before use in the fuel cell. Paper presented at the 2nd International Conference on Ionic Devices, Anna University, Chennai, India, Nov. 28–30, 2003.     

Highly efficient,PbS:Hg quantum dot–sensitized,plasmonic solar cells with TiO2 triple-layer photoanode

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - Highly efficient, PbS:Hg quantum dot–sensitized, plasmonic solar cells with TiO2 triple-layer photoanode were fabricated by successive ionic layer...     

Effect of plasticizers (EC or PC) on the ionic conductivity and thermal properties of the (PEO)9LiTf: Al2O3 nanocomposite polymer electrolyte system

A new plasticized nanocomposite polymer electrolyte based on poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO)-LiTf dispersed with ceramic filler (Al₂O₃) and plasticized with propylene carbonate (PC), ethylene carbonate (EC), and a mixture of EC and PC (EC+PC) have been studied for their ionic conductivity and thermal properties. The incorporation of plasticizers alone will yield polymer electrolytes with enhanced conductivity but with poor mechanical properties. However, mechanical properties can be improved by incorporating ceramic fillers to the plasticized system. Nanocomposite solid polymer electrolyte films (200–600 μm) were prepared by common solvent-casting method. In present work, we have shown the ionic conductivity can be substantially enhanced by using the combined effect of the plasticizers as well as the inert filler. It was revealed that the incorporating 15 wt.% Al₂O₃ filler in to PEO: LiTf polymer electrolyte significantly enhanced the ionic conductivity [σ _RT (max)?=?7.8?×?10^?6 S cm^?1]. It was interesting to observe that the addition of PC, EC, and mixture of EC and PC to the PEO: LiTf: 15 wt.% Al₂O₃ CPE showed further conductivity enhancement. The conductivity enhancement with EC is higher than PC. However, mixture of plasticizer (EC+PC) showed maximum conductivity enhancement in the temperature range interest, giving the value [σ _RT (max)?=?1.2?×?10^?4 S cm^?1]. It is suggested that the addition of PC, EC, or a mixture of EC and PC leads to a lowering of glass transition temperature and increasing the amorphous phase of PEO and the fraction of PEO-Li⁺ complex, corresponding to conductivity enhancement. Al₂O₃ filler would contribute to conductivity enhancement by transient hydrogen bonding of migrating ionic species with O–OH groups at the filler grain surface. The differential scanning calorimetry thermograms points towards the decrease of T _g , crystallite melting temperature, and melting enthalpy of PEO: LiTf: Al₂O₃ CPE after introducing plasticizers. The reduction of crystallinity and the increase in the amorphous phase content of the electrolyte, caused by the filler, also contributes to the observed conductivity enhancement.