CAREER: Fundamentals and New Materials for Hydrogen Electrode of Intermediate Temperature Proton Conducting Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

非技术描述：基于氢离子（称为质子）传导的固体氧化物燃料电池是一种发电设备，其比现有技术提供更高的效率和更低的排放。这种质子传导固体氧化物燃料电池（PC-SOFC）可以利用从纯氢到容易获得的烃燃料（例如天然气和生物气）的宽范围的燃料。该项目旨在产生关于在与操作相关的温度下在PC-SOFC的负电极处涉及氢气的非常重要的反应的新的基础知识。它还旨在开发新的电极材料，以进一步提高PC-SOFC的性能和鲁棒性。该项目的知识可以用于其他应用，如电化学储能，化学生产和传感器。该项目通过各种教育和推广活动促进佛罗里达国际大学（FIU）和更广泛的南部佛罗里达地区的先进陶瓷材料教育。技术难题：尽管PC-SOFC具有理论效率高和降低降解的潜力等优点，但许多基本方面尚不清楚。该项目旨在使用一套组合的技术方法产生关于PC-SOFC非常重要的氢电极反应的新知识。例如，具有图案化金属电极的PC-SOFC扣式电池与理论建模一起使用，以揭示氢电极反应动力学和电极几何形状之间的联系。研究燃料污染物的影响（例如，硫化氢）的研究有助于澄清PC-SOFC的有趣的电化学行为的起源和局限性，如更好的耐硫性。这些研究还提供了有关氢电极反应机理的见解。另一方面，通过催化剂渗透或出溶技术设计新的氢电极材料。正在进行高导电氧化物的定制掺杂以实现混合质子-电子传导或更好地耐受燃料污染物（例如，二氧化碳）用于进一步改进的PC-SOFC。教育和推广活动旨在提高认识和兴趣，增加获得相关知识的机会，并为学生（特别是少数民族学生）提供参与研究的机会，这些努力围绕先进的陶瓷材料展开。例如，在网络上提供讲座和重要实验程序的视频记录。此外，还积极采用WhatsApp等移动的社交网络工具进行交流。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

NON-TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: Solid oxide fuel cells based on the conduction of hydrogen ions (called protons) are a type of electrical power generation device that stands to offer much higher efficiency and lower emission than current technologies. Such proton conducting solid oxide fuel cells (PC-SOFCs) can utilize a wide range of fuels from pure hydrogen to readily available hydrocarbon fuels such as natural gas and biogas. This project aims to generate new fundamental knowledge about a very important reaction involving hydrogen gas at the negative electrode of PC-SOFCs at temperatures relevant to operation. It also aims to develop new electrode materials that could further enhance the performance and robustness of PC-SOFCs. Knowledge from this project can be leveraged to other applications such as electrochemical energy storage, chemical production, and sensors. The project promotes education in advanced ceramic materials at Florida International University (FIU) and the broader southern Florida region through various education and outreach activities.TECHNICAL DETAILS: Despite the advantages of PC-SOFCs such as higher theoretical efficiency and potential for reduced degradation, many fundamental aspects are not known. This project aims to generate new knowledge about the very important hydrogen electrode reaction for PC-SOFCs using a combined set of technical approaches. For example, PC-SOFC button cells with patterned metal electrodes are used together with theoretical modeling to reveal the linkage between hydrogen electrode reaction kinetics and electrode geometry. Study of the impacts of fuel contaminants (e.g., hydrogen sulfide) help clarify the origins and the limitations of PC-SOFCs' intriguing electrochemical behaviors such as better sulfur tolerance. These studies also provide insights about the underlying hydrogen electrode reaction mechanism. On the other hand, new hydrogen electrode materials are designed via catalyst infiltration or exsolution techniques. Tailored doping of highly conductive oxides is being carried out to achieve mixed proton-electron conduction or better tolerance to fuel contaminant (e.g., carbon dioxide) for further improved PC-SOFCs. The education and outreach activities aim to raise awareness and interest, enhance access to related knowledge, and provide engagement in research for students (especially minority students), with these efforts centered around advanced ceramic materials. For example, video recording of lectures and important lab procedures are provided on the web. In addition, mobile social networks tools such as WhatsApp are actively adopted for communication.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.