NSF-EPSRC Materials Collaboration on Fundamental Surface Studies of Mixed Electronic and Ionically Conducting Materials for Fuel Cell and Ion Transport Membrane Applications

该奖项由休斯顿大学材料研究部固态化学项目颁发，旨在了解决定高温电化学设备（包括燃料电池和分离膜）性能的关键因素，从而开发新的高性能材料。该提案是响应材料世界网络公告NSF 04-599收到的，将结合不同成分和不同结构完美的氧化物薄膜的合成，界面结构，缺陷和应变的原子水平信息以及表面反应性。关于导电氧化物的表面结构、化学和反应性等方面的补充信息将阐明控制表面氧交换的因素，这是提高膜性能和燃料电池效率的关键。这个与帝国理工学院和伦敦大学学院的研究团队合作的项目是氧气发生器和离子传输膜的材料开发，以及氧化物表面的基础研究。不同组成和不同结构完美度的氧化薄膜的合成和表征，以及表面结构和化学的原子水平信息将通过此次合作进行。这些跨学科教育的努力旨在培养和发展科学家，使他们具备为以新材料为基础的先进技术产业作出贡献的能力。该奖项将提供导致先进电化学技术的多学科研究，以最大限度地减少在能源生产中使用化石燃料对环境的影响。该研究的重点是固体氧化物燃料电池和分离膜，这些材料需要改进才能实现商业可行性。器件性能是由体积和表面特性共同决定的，但由于目前工业趋向于厚膜，更好地理解氧化物表面化学变得越来越重要，并且是主要焦点。该研究项目将通过将少数民族和传统上未被充分代表的群体纳入各个层面，对科学和教育产生广泛影响。休斯顿大学、帝国理工学院和伦敦大学学院计划在该项目研究活动的多个组成部分进行学生交流，这将有利于培养未来的科学家。这些跨学科教育的努力旨在培养和发展科学家，使他们具备为以新材料为基础的先进技术产业作出贡献的能力。

This award by the Solid State Chemistry program in the Division of Materials Research to University of Houston is to develop an understanding the critical factors that determine the performance of high temperature electrochemical devices including fuel cells and separation membranes and thereby developing new high performance materials. This proposal, received in response to the Materials World Network announcement NSF 04-599, will combine the synthesis of oxide thin films of variable composition and different structural perfection, atomic level information of interfacial structure, defects and strain and surface reactivity. The complementary information on aspects of the surface structure, chemistry and reactivity of conducting oxides will make clear the factors controlling surface oxygen exchange, the key to improving both membrane performance and fuel cell efficiency. This collaborative project with research teams at Imperial College and University College of London is for material development of oxygen generators and ion transport membranes, as well as fundamental study of oxide surfaces. Synthesis and characterization of oxide thin films of variable composition and different structural perfection, and atomic level information of surface structure and chemistry will be carried out with this collaboration. These efforts toward cross-disciplinary education are aimed at training and developing scientists suitably equipped to contribute to the advanced technology industries being based on new materials.The award will provide multidisciplinary research leading to advanced electrochemical technologies that minimize environmental consequences of using fossil fuels in energy production. The specific focus of the study is on solid oxide fuel cells and separation membranes where materials improvements are needed for commercial viability. Device performance is determined by both the bulk and the surface properties but because of the current industry trend towards thick films, better understanding of oxide surface chemistry is becoming increasingly important and is the main focus. The research program will broadly impact science and education through the incorporation of minority and traditionally underrepresented groups at all levels. Planned exchange of students among University of Houston, Imperial College and University College of London in multiple components of the research activities of the program would benefit in training future scientists. These efforts toward cross-disciplinary education are aimed at training and developing scientists suitably equipped to contribute to the advanced technology industries being based on new materials.