High-performance protonic ceramic fuel cell cathode using protophilic mixed ion and electron conducting material

DOI: 10.1039/D1TA07113K

Authors: Dingyue Hu (University of Liverpool) , Junyoung Kim (University of Liverpool) , Hongjun Niu (University of Liverpool) , Luke Daniels (University of Liverpool) , Troy D. Manning (University of Liverpool) , Ruiyong Chen (University of Liverpool) , Bowen Liu (University of Liverpool) , Richard Feetham (University of Liverpool) , John B. Claridge (University of Liverpool) , Matthew J. Rosseinsky (University of Liverpool)
Co-authored by industrial partner: No

Type: Journal Paper
Journal: Journal Of Materials Chemistry A

State: Published (Approved)
Published: December 2021

Abstract: Protonic ceramic fuel cells (PCFCs) are attractive energy conversion devices for intermediate-temperature operation (400-600 °C), however widespread application of PCFCs relies on the development of new high-performance electrode materials. Here we report the electrochemical and protonic properties of a self-assembled nanocomposite, Ba0.5Sr0.5(Co0.7Fe0.3)0.6875W0.3125O3−δ (BSCFW) consisting of a disordered single perovskite and an ordered double perovskite phase, as a PCFC cathode material. BSCFW shows thermodynamic and kinetic protonic behaviour conducive to PCFC application with favourable proton defect formation enthalpy (ΔH = -35±7 kJ mol–1) comparable to existing proton conducting electrolyte materials. BSCFW presents an excellent polarization resistance (Rp) of 0.172(2) Ω cm2 at 600 °C and a high power density of 582(1) mW cm–2 through single­cell measurement, which is comparable performance to current state-of-the-art cathode materials. BSCFW exhibits good chemical and thermal stability against BaZr0.1Ce0.7Y0.1Yb0.1O3-δ (BZCYYb) electrolyte with a low Rp degradation rate of 1.0(1) × 10-6 Ω cm2 min-1. These performance and stability figures represent an advance beyond those of Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.7Fe0.3O3−δ (BSCF), which is unstable under the same conditions and is incompatible with the electrolyte material. Our comprehensive characterization of the protonic properties of BSCFW, whose performance and stability are ensured via the interplay of the single and double perovskite phases, provides fundamental understanding that will inform the future design of high-performance PCFC cathodes.

Diamond Keywords: Fuel Cells

Subject Areas: Chemistry, Materials, Energy


Instruments: I11-High Resolution Powder Diffraction

Added On: 04/01/2022 14:28

Documents:
d1ta07113k.pdf

Discipline Tags:

Earth Sciences & Environment Sustainable Energy Systems Energy Climate Change Physical Chemistry Energy Materials Chemistry Materials Science

Technical Tags:

Diffraction X-ray Powder Diffraction