High Performance Cathodes for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

非技术描述：这项研究的目标是开发高功率输出固体氧化物燃料电池，这是未来可持续能源的重要组成部分。燃料电池是一种清洁、高效的能量转换设备，但固体氧化物燃料电池的成本仍然很高，因为它们必须在高温下运行。降低操作温度的关键是将先进的阴极材料纳入燃料电池，因此是本工作的重点。在这一领域的成功将是燃料电池广泛应用的重要的第一步，并最终实现国家能源安全。各级学生（研究生和本科生）将通过直接参与研究和公共宣传项目，包括计划在加州科学中心举办的燃料电池展览，接受燃料电池科学方面的教育。技术细节：要检测的特殊材料是ba0.5 sr0.5 co0.8 fe0.3 2o3 -。（BSCF），目的是将这种新开发的阴极材料的优异氧活性与氧化锆电解质的理想电学和机械性能结合起来。由于BSCF与氧化锆发生化学反应，因此只能将这种阴极与不太理想的氧化铈电解质一起使用。通过对BSCF的基础研究，提供对BSCF缺陷化学、结构化学和氧离子传输特性的原子水平的理解，将有可能设计出具有BSCF氧电还原活性，但与氧化锆不反应的材料。与此同时，多层燃料电池的开发也将受到关注，在多层燃料电池中，所需的成分（作为电解质的氧化锆和作为阴极的BSCF）通过氧化铈缓冲层相互分离。

NON-TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: The goal of this research is to develop high power output solid oxide fuel cells, essential components of a sustainable energy future. Fuel cells are clean and efficient energy conversion devices, but the cost of solid oxide fuel cells remains high because they must be operated at high temperatures. Key to lowering the temperature of operation is the incorporation of advanced cathode materials into fuel cells, and accordingly is the focus of this work. Success in this arena will be an important first step towards widespread implementation of fuel cells and ultimately, national energy security. Students at all levels will be educated in fuel cell science through their direct participation in the research (graduate and undergraduate students) and through public outreach programs, including a planned fuel cell exhibit at the California Science Center.TECHNICAL DETAILS: The particular material that will be examined is Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3-. (BSCF) with the objective of combining the demonstrated excellent oxygen activity of this newly developed cathode material with the desirable electrical and mechanical properties of zirconia electrolytes. Because BSCF is chemically reactive with zirconia it has only been possible to use this cathode with less desirable ceria electrolytes. By undertaking a fundamental study of BSCF that provides an atomistic level understanding of the defect chemistry, structural chemistry and oxygen ion transport properties of BSCF, it will be possible to design materials that exhibit the activity of BSCF for oxygen electroreduction, but are unreactive with zirconia. In parallel, efforts will be directed to the development of multi-layer fuel cells in which the desired components (zirconia as an electrolyte and BSCF as the cathode) are separated from one another via a ceria buffer layer.