Collaborative Research: Mixed Ionic Electronic Conducting Cathodes for Intermediate Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

这笔赠款用于开发基于新型添加剂沉积和图案化技术的中温(IT)固体氧化物燃料电池(SOFC)离子-电子混合导电薄膜阴极的制造方法。该方法的主要优点是可以快速地制备和研究可变的、精确可控的正极材料的组成和形貌。特别是，研究人员将尝试通过磁控溅射多个靶材来制备不同成分(化学计量比)和形貌的La1-xSrxFe1-yCoyO3(LSCF)阴极。利用拉曼光谱、电化学阻抗谱、扫描电子显微镜和X射线衍射仪等多种原位和非原位方法，系统地研究了LSCF基阴极表面和界面的电化学活性。因此，它可以为IT SOFC选择最佳的LSCF薄膜阴极。如果成功，这项研究的结果将带来一种低成本和快速制造高性能IT SOFC的方法，这种方法可以以高效和环保的方式从各种燃料(如氢、甲烷或一氧化碳)中发电。建议的研究可能会改变目前SOFC的生产实践，加快其商业化进程。这项多方面的研究计划涉及先进制造、材料表征、电化学和机械测试以及建模等方面的任务。它为材料科学和机械工程专业的学生提供了一个理想的环境，让他们积极参与基于项目和实践的研究和学习。来自中佛罗里达大学和南卡罗来纳大学的研究生和本科生将有机会参加这个项目提供的各种综合团队研究和教育活动。

This grant provides funding for the development of manufacturing methods of mixed ionic-electronic conducting thin film cathodes for intermediate temperature (IT) solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) based on novel additive deposition and patterning techniques. The major advantage of the proposed method is that variable and precisely-controllable cathode material composition and morphology can be rapidly produced and studied. In particular, the researchers will attempt to produce La1-xSrxFe1-yCoyO3 (LSCF) cathodes with various composition (stoichiometry) and morphologies by magnetron sputtering with multiple targets. This enables systematic study of electrochemical activities of LSCF based cathode surfaces and interfaces by a variety of in situ and ex situ methods such as Raman spectroscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Hence it allows the selection of an optimal LSCF thin film cathode for IT SOFC. If successful, the results of this research will lead to a low-cost and rapid manufacturing method for high performance IT SOFCs, which can generate electricity from a variety of fuels, such as hydrogen, methane, or carbon monoxide in an efficient and environmental friendly fashion. The proposed research can potentially transform the current manufacturing practice of SOFCs and accelerate its commercialization process. The multi-faceted research program involves tasks in advanced manufacturing, materials characterization, electrochemical and mechanical testing and modeling. It provides an ideal setting for both materials science and mechanical engineering students to actively participate in project-based and hands-on research and learning. A diverse group of graduate and undergraduate students from the University of Central Florida and the University of South Carolina will have the opportunity to participate in various integrated team research and educational activities afforded by this program.