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Shah MY, Lund PD, Zhu B. Toward next-generation fuel cell materials. iScience 2023; 26:106869. [PMID: 37275521 PMCID: PMC10238940 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The fuel cell's three layers-anode/electrolyte/cathode-convert fuel's chemical energy into electricity. Electrolyte membranes determine fuel cell types. Solid-state and ceramic electrolyte SOFC/PCFC and polymer based PEMFC fuel cells dominate fuel cell research. We present a new fuel cell concept using next-generation ceramic nanocomposites made of semiconductor-ionic material combinations. A built-in electric field driving mechanism boosts ionic (O2- or H+ or both) conductivity in these materials. In a fuel cell device, non-doped ceria or its heterostructure might attain 1 Wcm-2 power density. We reviewed promising functional nanocomposites for that range. Ceria-based and multifunctional semiconductor-ionic electrolytes will be highlighted. Owing to their simplicity and abundant resources, these materials might be used to make fuel cells cheaper and more accessible.
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Affiliation(s)
- M.A.K. Yousaf Shah
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Solar Energy Science and Technology/ Energy Storage Joint Research Center, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Peter D. Lund
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Solar Energy Science and Technology/ Energy Storage Joint Research Center, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- New Energy Technologies Group, Department of Applied Physics, Aalto University School of Science, P. O. Box 15100, 00076 Aalto, Espoo, Finland
| | - Bin Zhu
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Solar Energy Science and Technology/ Energy Storage Joint Research Center, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
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Saleem MS, Chen Q, Shepelin NA, Dolabella S, Rossell MD, Zhang X, Kronawitter CX, La Mattina F, Braun A. The Role of Strain in Proton Conduction in Multi-Oriented BaZr 0.9Y 0.1O 3-δ Thin Film. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:55915-55924. [PMID: 36508578 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c12657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Within the emerging field of proton-conducting fuel cells, BaZr0.9Y0.1O3-δ (BZY10) is an attractive material due to its high conductivity and stability. The fundamentals of conduction in sintered pellets and thin films heterostructures have been explored in several studies; however, the role of crystallographic orientation, grains, and grain boundaries is poorly understood for proton conduction. This article reports proton conduction in a self-assembled multi-oriented BZY10 thin film grown on top of a (110) NdGaO3 substrate. The multiple orientations are composed of different lattices, which provide a platform to study the lattice-dependent conductivity through different orientations in the vicinity of grain boundary between them and the substrate. The crystalline stacking of each orientation is confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis and scanning transmission electron microscopy. The transport measurements are carried out under different gas atmospheres. The highest conductivity of 3.08 × 10-3 S cm-1 at 400 °C is found under a wet H2 environment together with an increased lattice parameter of 4.208 Å, while under O2 and Ar environments, the film shows lower conductivity and lattice parameter. Our findings not only demonstrate the role of crystal lattice for conduction properties but also illustrate the importance of self-assembled strategies to achieve high proton conduction in BZY10 thin films.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Shahrukh Saleem
- Laboratory for High Performance Ceramics, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf8600, Switzerland
| | - Qianli Chen
- University of Michigan─Shanghai Jiao Tong University Joint Institute Shanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghai200240, China
| | - Nick A Shepelin
- Laboratory for Multiscale Materials Experiments, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen PSI5232, Switzerland
| | - Simone Dolabella
- Center for X-ray Analytics, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf8600, Switzerland
| | - Marta D Rossell
- Electron Microscopy Center, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf8600, Switzerland
| | - Xuhai Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Metallic Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, China
| | - Coleman X Kronawitter
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Davis, Davis, California95616, United States
| | - Fabio La Mattina
- Laboratory for Transport at Nanoscale Interfaces, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf8600, Switzerland
| | - Artur Braun
- Laboratory for High Performance Ceramics, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf8600, Switzerland
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Hossain MK, Hasan SMK, Hossain MI, Das RC, Bencherif H, Rubel MHK, Rahman MF, Emrose T, Hashizume K. A Review of Applications, Prospects, and Challenges of Proton-Conducting Zirconates in Electrochemical Hydrogen Devices. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:nano12203581. [PMID: 36296771 PMCID: PMC9609721 DOI: 10.3390/nano12203581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
In the future, when fossil fuels are exhausted, alternative energy sources will be essential for everyday needs. Hydrogen-based energy can play a vital role in this aspect. This energy is green, clean, and renewable. Electrochemical hydrogen devices have been used extensively in nuclear power plants to manage hydrogen-based renewable fuel. Doped zirconate materials are commonly used as an electrolyte in these electrochemical devices. These materials have excellent physical stability and high proton transport numbers, which make them suitable for multiple applications. Doping enhances the physical and electronic properties of zirconate materials and makes them ideal for practical applications. This review highlights the applications of zirconate-based proton-conducting materials in electrochemical cells, particularly in tritium monitors, tritium recovery, hydrogen sensors, and hydrogen pump systems. The central section of this review summarizes recent investigations and provides a comprehensive insight into the various doping schemes, experimental setup, instrumentation, optimum operating conditions, morphology, composition, and performance of zirconate electrolyte materials. In addition, different challenges that are hindering zirconate materials from achieving their full potential in electrochemical hydrogen devices are discussed. Finally, this paper lays out a few pathways for aspirants who wish to undertake research in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Khalid Hossain
- Department of Advanced Energy Engineering Science, IGSES, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 816-8580, Japan
- Institute of Electronics, AERE, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, Dhaka 1349, Bangladesh
- Correspondence: or
| | - S. M. Kamrul Hasan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - M. Imran Hossain
- Institute for Micromanufacturing, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, LA 71270, USA
| | - Ranjit C. Das
- Materials Science and Engineering, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - H. Bencherif
- Higher National School of Renewable Energies, Environment and Sustainable Development, Batna 05078, Algeria
| | - M. H. K. Rubel
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi 6205, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Ferdous Rahman
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur 5400, Bangladesh
| | - Tanvir Emrose
- School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - Kenichi Hashizume
- Department of Advanced Energy Engineering Science, IGSES, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 816-8580, Japan
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Effect of Sr Deficiency on Electrical Conductivity of Yb-Doped Strontium Zirconate. MATERIALS 2022; 15:ma15124126. [PMID: 35744186 PMCID: PMC9229988 DOI: 10.3390/ma15124126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The effect of Sr-deficiency on microstructure, phase composition and electrical conductivity of SrxZr0.95Yb0.05O3-δ (x = 0.94–1.00) was investigated via X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and impedance spectroscopy. The samples were synthesized by a chemical solution method and sintered at 1600 °C. According to X-ray diffraction data, the samples with x = 0.96–1.00 were single-phase oxides possessing an orthorhombic perovskite-type structure; while zirconia-based minor phases arouse at x = 0.94, which was confirmed by the electron microscopy. Sr stoichiometry was shown to influence the electrical conductivity. The highest total and bulk conductivities, 6–10−4 Scm−1 and 3–10−3 Scm−1, respectively, at 600 °C in humid air (pH2O = 3.2 kPa), were observed for the x = 0.98 composition. In the temperature range of 300–600 °C, the conductivity of the samples with x = 0.96–1.00 increased with the increase in humidity, which indicates a significant contribution of protonic defects to the charge transport. Electrical conductivity of SrxZr0.95Yb0.05O3-δ was discussed in terms of the defect formation model and the secondary phases precipitation.
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