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的固体氧化物燃料电池，可持续能源未来的重要组成部分。燃料电池是清洁高效的能量转换装置，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。降低工作温度的关键是将先进的阴极材料引入燃料电池，因此是本工作的重点。在这一竞技场的成功将是迈向燃料电池广泛应用并最终实现国家能源安全的重要的第一步。所有级别的学生将通过直接参与研究（研究生和本科生）和公共推广计划（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。技术支持：将检查的特定材料是Ba 0.5Sr 0.5Co 0.8Fe 0.2O 3-。（BSCF）的目的是将这种新开发的阴极材料的已证明的优异氧活性与氧化锆电解质的期望的电和机械性能相结合。由于BSCF与氧化锆具有化学反应性，因此仅可能将该阴极与不太理想的二氧化铈电解质一起使用。通过进行BSCF的基础研究，提供对BSCF的缺陷化学、结构化学和氧离子传输性质的原子水平的理解，将有可能设计出表现出BSCF用于氧电还原的活性但不与氧化锆反应的材料。同时，将致力于开发多层燃料电池，其中所需组分（氧化锆作为电解质，BSCF作为阴极）通过氧化铈缓冲层彼此分离。

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.