• Energy Research

Low temperature solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) with metal oxide composite cathode on the ceria–carbonate composite electrolyte have shown promising performance. However, the role of individual elem ...

Abstract Hereby we report first a commercial lithium battery LiMn-oxide (LMO) positive electrode material for fuel cell applications. The obtained LMO can be used for both anode and cathode in a three-layer fuel cell, but displays low electro-catalytic activity and power output. Using a nanocomposite approach we have significantly improved the cell performance from tens mW cm−2 up to 210 mW cm−2, which is technically useful for low temperature (bellow 600 °C) ceramic fuel cells. We also constructed single-layer fuel cell using the LMO/SDC–metal oxide composite and achieved even better performances than those for conventional anode–electrolyte–cathode three-layer fuel cells.

Abstract In this work, Lithiated NiCuZnOx (LNCZO) composite is synthesized and evaluated as a potential symmetrical electrode for ceria-carbonate composite electrolyte based low temperature ceramic fuel cells. Its crystal structures, the hydrogen oxidation/oxygen reduction electrochemical activities and fuel cell performances are systematically examined on the symmetrical cell configuration. Nano crystallite particles in the form of composite are observed for these oxides. The LNCZO shows relatively high catalytic activities for hydrogen oxidation and oxygen reduction reaction according to the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements. A remarkable low oxygen reduction activation energy of 42 kJ mol−1 is obtained on the LNCZO/ceria-carbonate composite, demonstrating excellent electro-catalytic activity. Especially, the catalytic activity can be further improved in the presence of water in the cathode chamber. The results show that the lithiated transition metal oxide composite is a promising symmetrical electrode for ceria-carbonate electrolyte and composite approach might a probable solution to develop super-performance electrodes for reduced temperature ceramic fuel cells.

Fuel cells are highly efficient and green power sources. The typical membrane electrode assembly is necessary for common electrochemical devices. Recent research and development in solid oxide fuel cells have opened up many new opportunities based on the semiconductor or its heterostructure materials. Semiconductor-based fuel cells (SBFCs) realize the fuel cell functionality in a much more straightforward way. This work aims to discuss new strategies and scientific principles of SBFCs by reviewing various novel junction types/interfaces, i.e., bulk and planar p-n junction, Schottky junction, and n-i type interface contact. New designing methodologies of SBFCs from energy band/alignment and built-in electric field (BIEF), which block the internal electronic transport while assisting interfacial superionic transport and subsequently enhance device performance, are comprehensively reviewed. This work highlights the recent advances of SBFCs and provides new methodology and understanding with significant importance for both fundamental and applied R&D on new-generation fuel cell materials and technologies.

Carbon nanosheets from sustainable biomass via chemical pretreatment and heterogeneous doping exhibit exceptional electrochemical oxygen reduction activity in alkaline solution.

Composite and nanocomposite samarium doped ceria-carbonates powders were prepared by solid-state reaction, citric acid-nitrate combustion and modified nanocomposite approaches and used as electrolytes for low temperature solid oxide fuel cells. X-ray Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscope, low-temperature Nitrogen Adsorption/desorption Experiments, Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy and fuel cell performance test were employed in characterization of these materials. All powders are nano-size particles with slight aggregation and carbonates are amorphous in composites. Nanocomposite electrolyte exhibits much lower impedance resistance and higher ionic conductivity than those of the other electrolytes at lower temperature. Fuel cell using the electrolyte prepared by modified nanocomposite approach exhibits the best performance in the whole operation temperature range and achieves a maximum power density of 839 mW cm(-2) at 600 degrees C with H2 as fuel. The excellent physical and electrochemical performances of nanocomposite electrolyte make it a promising candidate for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells.

A novel fuel cell device based on integrating the Schottky junction effect with the electrochemical principle is designed, constructed, and verified through experiments. It is found that the Schott ...