Advanced anodes for high-temperature fuel cells

Enhanced sulfur and coking tolerance of a mixed ion conductor for SOFCs: BaZr(0.1)Ce(0.7)Y(0.2-x)Yb(x)O(3-delta)

The anode materials that have been developed for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are vulnerable to deactivation by carbon buildup (coking) from hydrocarbon fuels or by sulfur contamination (poisoning). We report on a mixed ion conductor, BaZr(0.1)Ce(0.7)Y(0.2-)(x)Yb(x)O(3-delta), that allows rapid transport of both protons and oxide ion vacancies. It exhibits high ionic conductivity at relatively low temperatures (500 degrees to 700 degrees C). Its ability to resist deactivation by sulfur and coking appears linked to the mixed conductor's enhanced catalytic activity for sulfur oxidation and hydrocarbon cracking and reforming, as well as enhanced water adsorption capability.

Modeling of Solid-Oxide Fuel Cells

This article presents a brief review on modeling philosophies of solid-oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) including an introduction to SOFC components and their functions. While a plethora of numerical models is available for SOFC modeling and simulation, this paper focuses on a general overview on mathematical model equations that represent the physico-chemical processes occurring in SOFCs and their boundary conditions. Electrochemical model equations, their simplifications, significance, and solution methods are discussed. Charge transfer chemistry is described in detail from a global as well as from elementary charge transfer perspective. Principles of heterogeneous reforming chemistry on conventional nickel cermet anodes, evaluation of rate expressions, and the implementation of the thermo chemistry into SOFC flow models are described. Results of numerical simulations are presented for configurations ranging from complex stacks to simple zero dimensional electrochemical systems.

Lattice dynamics to trigger low temperature oxygen mobility in solid oxide ion conductors

SrFeO(2.5) and SrCoO(2.5) are able to intercalate oxygen in a reversible topotactic redox reaction already at room temperature to form the cubic perovskites Sr(Fe,Co)O(3), while CaFeO(2.5) can only be oxidized under extreme conditions. To explain this significant difference in low temperature oxygen mobility, we investigated the homologous SrFeO(2.5) and CaFeO(2.5) by temperature dependent oxygen isotope exchange as well as by inelastic neutron scattering (INS) studies, combined with ab initio (DFT) molecular dynamical calculations. From (18)O/(16)O isotope exchange experiments we proved free oxygen mobility to be realized in SrFeO(x) already below 600 K. We have also evidence that low temperature oxygen mobility relies on the existence of specific, low energy lattice modes, which trigger and amplify oxygen mobility in solids. We interpret the INS data together with the DFT-based molecular dynamical simulation results on SrFeO(2.5) and CaFeO(2.5) in terms of an enhanced, phonon-assisted, low temperature oxygen diffusion for SrFeO(3-x) as a result of the strongly reduced Fe-O-Fe bond strength of the apical oxygen atoms in the FeO(6) octahedra along the stacking axis. This dynamically triggered phenomenon leads to an easy migration of the oxide ions into the open vacancy channels and vice versa. The decisive impact of lattice dynamics, giving rise to structural instabilities in oxygen deficient perovskites, especially with brownmillerite-type structure, is demonstrated, opening new concepts for the design and tailoring of low temperature oxygen ion conductors.

Cooperative mechanisms of fast-ion conduction in gallium-based oxides with tetrahedral moieties

The need for greater energy efficiency has garnered increasing support for the use of fuel-cell technology, a prime example being the solid-oxide fuel cell. A crucial requirement for such devices is a good ionic (O(2-) or H+) conductor as the electrolyte. Traditionally, fluorite- and perovskite-type oxides have been targeted, although there is growing interest in alternative structure types for intermediate-temperature (400-700 ( composite function)C) solid-oxide fuel cells. In particular, structures containing tetrahedral moieties, such as La(1-x)Ca(x)MO(4-x/2)(M=Ta,Nb,P) (refs 7,8), La(1-x)Ba(1+x)GaO(4-x/2) (refs 9,10) and La(9.33+x)Si(6)O(26+3x/2) (ref. 11), have been attracting considerable attention recently. However, an atomic-scale understanding of the conduction mechanisms in these systems is still lacking; such mechanistic detail is important for developing strategies for optimizing the conductivity, as well as identifying next-generation materials. In this context, we report a combined experimental and computational modelling study of the La(1-x)Ba(1+x)GaO(4-x/2) system, which exhibits both proton and oxide-ion conduction. Here we show that oxide-ion conduction proceeds via a cooperative 'cog-wheel'-type process involving the breaking and re-forming of Ga(2)O(7) units, whereas the rate-limiting step for proton conduction is intra-tetrahedron proton transfer. Both mechanisms are unusual for ceramic oxide materials, and similar cooperative processes may be important in related systems containing tetrahedral moieties.

In Situ Studies of Fuel Oxidation in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Existing electrochemical experiments and models of fuel oxidation postulate about the importance of different oxidation pathways and relative fuel conversion efficiencies, but specific information is often lacking. Experiments described below present the first direct, in situ measurements of relevant chemical species formed on solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) cermet anodes operating with both butane and CO fuel feeds. Raman spectroscopy is used to acquire vibrational spectra from SOFC anodes at 715 degrees C during operation. Both C4H10 and CO form graphitic intermediates. In the limit of a large oxide flux, excess butane forms ordered graphite but only transiently. At higher cell potentials (e.g., less current being drawn) ordered and disordered graphite form on the Ni cermet anode following exposure to butane, and under open circuit voltage (OCV) conditions the graphite persists indefinitely. The chemistry of CO oxidation is such that ordered graphite and a Ni-COO intermediate form only at intermediate cell potentials. Concurrent voltammetry studies show that the formation of graphite with butane at OCV leads first to decreased cell performance after exposure to 25 cm3 butane, then recovered performance after 75 cm3. CO voltammetry data show that at lower potentials the oxide flux through the YSZ electrolyte is sufficient to oxidize the Ni in the anode especially near the interface with the electrolyte.

A new anode for solid oxide fuel cells with enhanced OCV under methane operation

A new SOFC anode material based upon oxygen excess perovskite related phases has been synthesised. The material shows better electrochemical performance than other alternative new anodes and comparable performance to the state-of-art of the electrodes, Ni-YSZ cermets, under pure hydrogen. Furthermore, this material shows an enhanced performance under methane operation with high open circuit voltages, i.e. 1.2-1.4 V at 950 degrees C, without using steam excess. The effect of the anode configuration was tested in one and four layer configurations. The optimised electrode polarisation resistances were just 0.12 ohm cm(2) and 0.36 ohm cm(2), at 950 degrees C, in humidified H(2) and humidified CH(4), respectively. Power densities of 0.5 W cm(-2) and 0.35 W cm(-2) were obtained in the same conditions. A very low anodic overpotential of 100 mV at 1 A cm(-2) was obtained under humidified H(2) at 950 degrees C. Samples were tested for two days in reducing and oxidising conditions, alternating heating and cooling processes from 850 degrees C to 950 degrees C, showing stable electrode performance and open circuit voltages. The results show that the substituted strontium titanates are very promising anode materials for SOFC.

Methane Oxidation at Redox Stable Fuel Cell Electrode La0.75Sr0.25Cr0.5Mn0.5O3-δ

Because of its widespread availability, natural gas is the most important fuel for early application of stationary fuel cells, and furthermore, methane containing biogases are one of the most promising renewable energy alternatives; thus, it is very important to be able to efficiently utilize methane in fuel cells. Typically, external steam reforming is applied to allow methane utilization in high temperature fuel cells; however, direct oxidation will provide a much better solution. Recently, we reported good electrochemical performance for an oxide anode La0.75Sr0.25Cr0.5Mn0.5O3 (LSCM) in low moisture (3% H2O) H2 and CH4 fuels without significant coking in CH4. Here, we investigate the catalytic activity of this oxide with respect to its ability to utilize methane. This oxide is found to exhibit fairly low reforming activity for both H2O and CO2 reforming but is active for methane oxidation. LSCM is found to be a full oxidation catalyst rather than a partial oxidation catalyst as CO2 production dominates CO production even in CH4-rich CH4/O2 mixtures. X-ray adsorption spectroscopy was utilized to confirm that Mn was the redox active species, clearly demonstrating that this material has the oxidation catalytic behavior that might be expected from a Mn perovskite and that the Cr ion is only present to ensure stability under fuel atmospheres.