Next-generation composite SOFC anodes

1033810MistureIntelligence MeritSolid Oxide燃料电池(SOFC)为可再生碳基生物燃料转化为电力提供了许多潜在的优势，最显著的是为从小规模到大规模的各种应用提供燃料灵活的电力系统的机会。然而，使用碳氢流的SOFC存在几个技术问题，其中许多问题可能与阳极的可靠性有关。为了解决阳极的可靠性问题，最近的工作表明，传统的镍金属SOFC阳极可以被氧化物部分或全部取代，从而显著提高碳基生物燃料的性能。本研究的目标是将高活性、氧化物促进的金属纳米粒子催化剂引入到SOFC阳极中，这种阳极可以耐受肮脏的生物燃料环境，并且可以定期再生。感兴趣的材料是氧化物尖晶石，它在燃料流中被还原，以产生由缺陷尖晶石支撑的金属纳米颗粒。阳极的再生需要一个氧化/还原过程，在这个过程中，金属胶体在氧化条件下被重新吸收到尖晶石中，然后被还原，从而再生催化剂。拟议的研究将有助于定量了解氧化物负载金属催化剂与离子/电子混合导电氧化物的功能和相互作用。尖晶石中有丰富的化学成分，这将允许研究促进剂和催化金属或合金的影响，例如，包括镍、钴、铜、锰和Ru。表征尖晶石的还原和再生过程，以及测量湿和干氢或甲烷气体下的离子/电子电导率，将为指导复合阳极的开发提供基本信息。具有不同组成的复合阳极的单扣式电池的性能将允许量化复合材料的每个组件的影响，并提供数据以阐明SOFC应用中导致结焦阻力的机制。广泛影响由研究生和本科生组成的学生团队将作为综合努力开展研究、教育和推广活动。作为K-12推广活动的一部分，学生团队将通过现有的项目向初中生提供关于生物燃料主题的动手演示，包括工程和材料科学日、工程成功大学和车轮上的科学。这个学生团队还将开发一个网站，突出生物燃料SOFC的研究努力，本科生在这一研究努力中的作用，并广泛谈论绿色可再生能源的文化和社会影响。本网站旨在间接支持纽约州科学教育改革领导和援助(LASeR)计划，该计划提供以研究为基础的产品和服务，以支持K-12科学教育。

1033810MistureIntellectual MeritSolid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) offer many potential advantages for the conversion of renewable, carbon-based biofuels to electrical power, most notably the opportunity to provide fuel-flexible power systems for a variety of applications ranging from small scale to large scale. However, there are several technological issues with SOFCs that use hydrocarbon streams, many of which can be related to reliability of the anode. To address the anode reliability issue, recent work has shown that traditional Ni metal SOFC anodes can be partially or fully replaced by oxides which substantially improve performance in carbon-based biofuels.The objective of the proposed research is to incorporate high-activity, oxide-promoted metal nanoparticle catalysts into the SOFC anode that can tolerate a dirty biofuel environment and can be periodically regenerated. Materials of interest are oxide spinels, which are reduced in the fuel stream to yield metal nanoparticles supported by defect spinels. Regeneration of the anode requires an oxidation/reduction process in which the metal colloids are resorbed into the spinel under oxidizing conditions and then reduced, thus regenerating the catalyst. The proposed research will develop a quantitative understanding of the function and interplay of the oxide-supported metal catalyst with the mixed ionic/electronic conducting oxides. A rich array of chemical composition is available in the spinels, which will allow for studies on the effects of promoters and catalytic metals or alloys that include, for example, Ni, Co, Cu, Mn, and Ru. Characterization of the reduction and regeneration processes for the spinels, as well as measurements of the ionic/electronic conductivity under wet and dry hydrogen or methane gas, will provide fundamental information to guide the development of the composite anodes. Performance of single button cells with composite anodes of varying composition will allow for the quantification of the impact of each component of the composite, and provide data to elucidate the mechanisms responsible coking resistance in the SOFC application.Broader ImpactsA student team of graduate and undergraduate students will carry out research, education, and outreach activities as an integrated effort. As part of K-12 outreach, the student team will provide hands-on demonstrations on biofuels topics to middle and high school students through existing programs, including Engineering and Materials Science Day, Success in College in Engineering, and Science on Wheels. This student team will also develop a website which will highlight research efforts in biofuel SOFCs, the role of undergraduates in that research effort, and speak broadly to the cultural and social impacts of green, renewable energy. This website will be designed to indirectly support the New York State Leadership and Assistance for Science Education Reform (LASER) program, which provides research-based products and services to support K-12 science education.