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Abstract Ammonia is a possible candidate as the fuel for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). In this work, an anode-supported SOFC based on yttrium-stabled zircite (YSZ) thin-film electrolyte was fabricated by a simple dry-pressing process. Directly fueled by commercial liquefied ammonia, the single cell was tested at temperatures from 650 to 850 °C. The maximum power densities were 299 and 526 mW cm −2 at 750 and 850 °C, respectively, only slightly lower than that fueled by hydrogen. Analysis of open current voltages (OCVs) of the cell indicated the oxidation of ammonia within a SOFC is a two-stage process. Impedance spectra showed the cell fueled by ammonia had the same electrolyte resistances as that fueled by hydrogen, but a little larger interfacial polarization resistances. Further, the performances of the cell were essentially determined by the interfacial resistances under 750 °C.

Abstract Ammonia is a possible candidate as the fuel for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). In this work, an anode-supported SOFC based on yttrium-stabled zircite (YSZ) thin-film electrolyte was fabricated by a simple dry-pressing process. Directly fueled by commercial liquefied ammonia, the single cell was tested at temperatures from 650 to 850 °C. The maximum power densities were 299 and 526 mW cm −2 at 750 and 850 °C, respectively, only slightly lower than that fueled by hydrogen. Analysis of open current voltages (OCVs) of the cell indicated the oxidation of ammonia within a SOFC is a two-stage process. Impedance spectra showed the cell fueled by ammonia had the same electrolyte resistances as that fueled by hydrogen, but a little larger interfacial polarization resistances. Further, the performances of the cell were essentially determined by the interfacial resistances under 750 °C.

Abstract Li[Ni 1/3 Mn 1/3 Co 1/3 ]O 2 /graphite, Li[Ni 0.5 Mn 0.3 Co 0.2 ]O 2 /graphite and Li[Ni 0.6 Mn 0.2 Co 0.2 O 2 ]/graphite pouch cells were examined with and without electrolyte additives using the ultra high precision charger at Dalhousie University, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, gas evolution measurements and “cycle-store” tests. The electrolyte additives tested were vinylene carbonate (VC), prop-1-ene-1,3-sultone (PES), pyridine-boron trifluoride (PBF), 2% PES + 1% methylene methanedisulfonate (MMDS) + 1% tris(trimethylsilyl) phosphite (TTSPi) and 0.5% pyrazine di-boron trifluoride (PRZ) + 1% MMDS. The charge end-point capacity slippage, capacity fade, coulombic efficiency, impedance change during cycling, gas evolution and voltage drop during “cycle-store” testing were compared to gain an understanding of the effects of these promising electrolyte additives or additive combinations on the different types of pouch cells. It is hoped that this report can be used as a guide or reference for the wise choice of electrolyte additives in Li[Ni 1/3 Mn 1/3 Co 1/3 ]O 2 /graphite, Li[Ni 0.5 Mn 0.3 Co 0.2 ]O 2 /graphite and Li[Ni 0.6 Mn 0.2 Co 0.2 O 2 ]/graphite pouch cells and also to show the shortcomings of particular positive electrode compositions.

Abstract Li[Ni 1/3 Mn 1/3 Co 1/3 ]O 2 /graphite, Li[Ni 0.5 Mn 0.3 Co 0.2 ]O 2 /graphite and Li[Ni 0.6 Mn 0.2 Co 0.2 O 2 ]/graphite pouch cells were examined with and without electrolyte additives using the ultra high precision charger at Dalhousie University, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, gas evolution measurements and “cycle-store” tests. The electrolyte additives tested were vinylene carbonate (VC), prop-1-ene-1,3-sultone (PES), pyridine-boron trifluoride (PBF), 2% PES + 1% methylene methanedisulfonate (MMDS) + 1% tris(trimethylsilyl) phosphite (TTSPi) and 0.5% pyrazine di-boron trifluoride (PRZ) + 1% MMDS. The charge end-point capacity slippage, capacity fade, coulombic efficiency, impedance change during cycling, gas evolution and voltage drop during “cycle-store” testing were compared to gain an understanding of the effects of these promising electrolyte additives or additive combinations on the different types of pouch cells. It is hoped that this report can be used as a guide or reference for the wise choice of electrolyte additives in Li[Ni 1/3 Mn 1/3 Co 1/3 ]O 2 /graphite, Li[Ni 0.5 Mn 0.3 Co 0.2 ]O 2 /graphite and Li[Ni 0.6 Mn 0.2 Co 0.2 O 2 ]/graphite pouch cells and also to show the shortcomings of particular positive electrode compositions.

Abstract Fundamental understanding of liquid water transport in gas diffusion media (GDM) is important to improve the material and structure design of polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells. Continuum methods of two-phase flow modeling facilitate to give more details of relevant information. The proper empirical correlations of liquid water transport properties, such as capillary characteristics, water relative permeability and effective contact angle, are crucial to two phase flow modeling and cell performance prediction. In this work, researches on these properties in the last decade are reviewed. Various efforts have been devoted to determine the water transport properties for GDMs. However, most of the experimental studies are ex-situ measurements. In-situ measurements for GDMs and extending techniques available to study the catalyst layer and the microporous layer will be further challenges. Using the Leverett–Udell correlation is not recommended for quantitative modeling. The reliable Leverett-type correlation for GDMs, with the inclusion of the cosine of effective contact angle, is desirable but hard to be established for modeling two-phase flow in GDMs. A comprehensive data set of liquid water transport properties is needed for various GDM materials under different PEM fuel cell operating conditions.

Abstract Fundamental understanding of liquid water transport in gas diffusion media (GDM) is important to improve the material and structure design of polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells. Continuum methods of two-phase flow modeling facilitate to give more details of relevant information. The proper empirical correlations of liquid water transport properties, such as capillary characteristics, water relative permeability and effective contact angle, are crucial to two phase flow modeling and cell performance prediction. In this work, researches on these properties in the last decade are reviewed. Various efforts have been devoted to determine the water transport properties for GDMs. However, most of the experimental studies are ex-situ measurements. In-situ measurements for GDMs and extending techniques available to study the catalyst layer and the microporous layer will be further challenges. Using the Leverett–Udell correlation is not recommended for quantitative modeling. The reliable Leverett-type correlation for GDMs, with the inclusion of the cosine of effective contact angle, is desirable but hard to be established for modeling two-phase flow in GDMs. A comprehensive data set of liquid water transport properties is needed for various GDM materials under different PEM fuel cell operating conditions.

Abstract In this work, the effects of the La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3-δ (LSCF) electrode–yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolyte interface on the stability of LSCF electrodes under high-current electrolysis are studied. Six different half-cells with different configurations are tested at 800 °C for 264 h under an electrolysis current of 1 A cm−2. A few concluding remarks can be drawn by comparing the behaviors of different cells. Firstly, it is confirmed that the formation of SrZrO3 at the interface will lead to the delamination of air electrode. Thus, the formation of SrZrO3 should be strictly prevented. Secondly, increasing sintering temperature can decrease the degradation rate of polarization resistance, RP, for LSCF electrodes. Thirdly, the increase of ohmic resistance, RS, comes from structural changes as the degradation rate in percentage is similar for cells with different electrolytes and electrodes. Fourthly, the LSCF electrode after the electrolysis test shows recrystallization and lattice shrink which could be the reason for the degradation of LSCF electrodes on Gd0.1Ce0.9O2–δ (GDC) electrolytes. Lastly, comparing all the samples, the cell composed of YSZ electrolyte, dense GDC interlayer and LSCF electrode sintered at 1000 °C can be used for future study on the degradation mechanisms of the LSCF air electrode and the electrolyte.

Abstract In this work, the effects of the La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3-δ (LSCF) electrode–yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolyte interface on the stability of LSCF electrodes under high-current electrolysis are studied. Six different half-cells with different configurations are tested at 800 °C for 264 h under an electrolysis current of 1 A cm−2. A few concluding remarks can be drawn by comparing the behaviors of different cells. Firstly, it is confirmed that the formation of SrZrO3 at the interface will lead to the delamination of air electrode. Thus, the formation of SrZrO3 should be strictly prevented. Secondly, increasing sintering temperature can decrease the degradation rate of polarization resistance, RP, for LSCF electrodes. Thirdly, the increase of ohmic resistance, RS, comes from structural changes as the degradation rate in percentage is similar for cells with different electrolytes and electrodes. Fourthly, the LSCF electrode after the electrolysis test shows recrystallization and lattice shrink which could be the reason for the degradation of LSCF electrodes on Gd0.1Ce0.9O2–δ (GDC) electrolytes. Lastly, comparing all the samples, the cell composed of YSZ electrolyte, dense GDC interlayer and LSCF electrode sintered at 1000 °C can be used for future study on the degradation mechanisms of the LSCF air electrode and the electrolyte.

A two-dimensional model of a flowing-electrolyte direct methanol fuel cell has been developed to predict the performance of the cell under various operating conditions. Governing equations including the proton and electron transport, continuity, momentum, species transport for methanol, water, and oxygen, and the auxiliary equations are coupled to determine the output parameters. These parameters are the concentration distribution of the species, cell voltage, power density, and the electrical efficiency of the cell. After validation with the experimental data, several simulations are carried out to study the effects of the fluid velocity at the fuel, air, and flowing electrolyte channel inlets on the output parameters. In addition, the effect of recirculating the methanol at the flowing electrolyte channel outlet is assessed. The results show that higher fluid velocities at the fuel, air, and flowing electrolyte channel inlets are needed to obtain higher power densities. However, an increase in the fluid velocity at the fuel channel inlet causes a decrease in the electrical efficiency of the cell. Iris also found that the electrical efficiency of the FE-DMFC can be further increased if the methanol leaving the flowing electrolyte channel is recirculated into the methanol storage tank. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A two-dimensional model of a flowing-electrolyte direct methanol fuel cell has been developed to predict the performance of the cell under various operating conditions. Governing equations including the proton and electron transport, continuity, momentum, species transport for methanol, water, and oxygen, and the auxiliary equations are coupled to determine the output parameters. These parameters are the concentration distribution of the species, cell voltage, power density, and the electrical efficiency of the cell. After validation with the experimental data, several simulations are carried out to study the effects of the fluid velocity at the fuel, air, and flowing electrolyte channel inlets on the output parameters. In addition, the effect of recirculating the methanol at the flowing electrolyte channel outlet is assessed. The results show that higher fluid velocities at the fuel, air, and flowing electrolyte channel inlets are needed to obtain higher power densities. However, an increase in the fluid velocity at the fuel channel inlet causes a decrease in the electrical efficiency of the cell. Iris also found that the electrical efficiency of the FE-DMFC can be further increased if the methanol leaving the flowing electrolyte channel is recirculated into the methanol storage tank. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.