1
|
Yousaf M, Lu Y, Hu E, Akbar M, Shah MAKY, Noor A, Akhtar MN, Mushtaq N, Yan S, Xia C, Zhu B. Interfacial Disordering and Heterojunction Enabling Fast Proton Conduction. SMALL METHODS 2023; 7:e2300450. [PMID: 37469012 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202300450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
The interfacial disorder is a general method to change the metal-oxygen compatibility and carrier density of heterostructure materials for ionic transport modulation. Herein, to enable high proton conduction, a semiconductor heterostructure based on spinel ZnFe2 O4 (ZFO) and fluorite CeO2 is developed and investigated in terms of structural characterization, first principle calculation, and electrochemical performance. Particular attention is paid to the interfacial disordering and heterojunction effects of the material. Results show that the heterostructure induces a disordered oxygen region at the hetero-interface of ZFO-CeO2 by dislocating oxygen atoms, leading to fast proton transport. As a result, the ZFO-CeO2 exhibits a high proton conductivity of 0.21 S cm-1 and promising fuel cell power output of 1070 mW cm-2 at 510 °C. Based upon these findings, a new mechanism is proposed by focusing on the change of O-O bond length to interpret the diffusion and acceleration of protons in ZFO-CeO2 on the basis of the Grotthuss mechanism. This study provides a new strategy to customize semiconductor heterostructure to enable fast proton conduction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Yousaf
- Energy Storage Joint Research Center, School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, P. R. China
| | - Yuzheng Lu
- School of Electronic Engineering, Nanjing Xiaozhuang University, Nanjing, 211171, P. R. China
| | - Enyi Hu
- Energy Storage Joint Research Center, School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, P. R. China
| | - Muhammad Akbar
- School of Microelectronics, Hubei University, Wuhan, 430062, P. R. China
| | | | - Asma Noor
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Laser Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Micro/Nano Optomechatronics Engineering, College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, P. R. China
| | - Majid Niaz Akhtar
- Institute of Physics, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, 63100, Pakistan
| | - Naveed Mushtaq
- Energy Storage Joint Research Center, School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, P. R. China
| | - Senlin Yan
- School of Electronic Engineering, Nanjing Xiaozhuang University, Nanjing, 211171, P. R. China
| | - Chen Xia
- School of Microelectronics, Hubei University, Wuhan, 430062, P. R. China
- Hubei Yangtze Memory Laboratories, Wuhan, 430205, P. R. China
| | - Bin Zhu
- Energy Storage Joint Research Center, School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow in Power Engineering, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xian, 710049, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wang X, Li W, Zhou C, Xu M, Hu Z, Pao CW, Zhou W, Shao Z. Enhanced Proton Conduction with Low Oxygen Vacancy Concentration and Favorable Hydration for Protonic Ceramic Fuel Cells Cathode. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:1339-1347. [PMID: 36579819 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c19343] [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
Protonic ceramic fuel cells (PCFCs), as an efficient energy storage and conversion device, have great potential to solve the serious problems of energy shortage and environmental pollution. Improving the proton conductivity of the promising cathode materials is an effective solution to promote the widespread application of PCFCs at low temperatures (450-650 °C). Herein, considering the high oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity of BaCoO3-based perovskite oxide and beneficial proton uptake capacity of Zn-doping, we construct BaCo0.4Fe0.4Zn0.1Y0.1O3-δ (BCFZnY) as the PCFCs cathode, and compare it with the classic triple-conducting cathode BaCo0.4Fe0.4Zr0.1Y0.1O3-δ (BCFZrY). Different from the general strategy of increasing the initial oxygen vacancy concentration of cathode materials, this work unveils that enhancing the hydration of perovskite oxide with low oxygen vacancy concentration is a more effective strategy to accelerate the proton diffusion in the electrode. Therefore, the BCFZnY cathode achieved excellent proton conductivities of 8.05 × 10-3 and 6.38 × 10-3 S cm-1 as obtained by hydrogen permeation measurements and peak power densities of 982 and 320 mW cm-2 in a BaZr0.1Ce0.7Y0.1Yb0.1O3-δ-based anode-supported fuel cell at 600 and 450 °C, respectively.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing211800, China
| | - Wenhuai Li
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing211800, China
| | - Chuan Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing211800, China
| | - Meigui Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing211800, China
| | - Zhiwei Hu
- Max-Planck-Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids, Nöthnitzer Str. 40, Dresden01187, Germany
| | - Chih-Wen Pao
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center101 Hsin-Ann Road, Hsinchu30076, Taiwan
| | - Wei Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing211800, China
| | - Zongping Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing211800, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Xing Y, Zhu B, Hong L, Xia C, Wang B, Wu Y, Cai H, Rauf S, Huang J, Asghar MI, Yang Y, Lin WF. Designing High Interfacial Conduction beyond Bulk via Engineering the Semiconductor-Ionic Heterostructure CeO 2-δ/BaZr 0.8Y 0.2O 3 for Superior Proton Conductive Fuel Cell and Water Electrolysis Applications. ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS 2022; 5:15373-15384. [PMID: 36590881 PMCID: PMC9795487 DOI: 10.1021/acsaem.2c02995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Proton ceramic fuel cells (PCFCs) are an emerging clean energy technology; however, a key challenge persists in improving the electrolyte proton conductivity, e.g., around 10-3-10-2 S cm-1 at 600 °C for the well-known BaZr0.8Y0.2O3 (BZY), that is far below the required 0.1 S cm-1. Herein, we report an approach for tuning BZY from low bulk to high interfacial conduction by introducing a semiconductor CeO2-δ forming a semiconductor-ionic heterostructure CeO2-δ/BZY. The interfacial conduction was identified by a significantly higher conductivity obtained from the BZY grain boundary than that of the bulk and a further improvement from the CeO2-δ/BZY which achieved a remarkably high proton conductivity of 0.23 S cm-1. This enabled a high peak power of 845 mW cm-2 at 520 °C from a PCFC using the CeO2-δ/BZY as the electrolyte, in strong contrast to the BZY bulk conduction electrolyte with only 229 mW cm-2. Furthermore, the CeO2-δ/BZY fuel cell was operated under water electrolysis mode, exhibiting a very high current density output of 3.2 A cm-2 corresponding to a high H2 production rate, under 2.0 V at 520 °C. The band structure and a built-in-field-assisted proton transport mechanism have been proposed and explained. This work demonstrates an efficient way of tuning the electrolyte from low bulk to high interfacial proton conduction to attain sufficient conductivity required for PCFCs, electrolyzers, and other advanced electrochemical energy technologies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yueming Xing
- Engineering
Research Center of Nano-Geo Materials of Ministry of Education, Faculty
of Materials Science and Chemistry, China
University of Geosciences, No. 388 Lumo Road, Wuhan430074, China
| | - Bin Zhu
- Engineering
Research Center of Nano-Geo Materials of Ministry of Education, Faculty
of Materials Science and Chemistry, China
University of Geosciences, No. 388 Lumo Road, Wuhan430074, China
- Jiangsu
Provincial Key Laboratory of Solar Energy Science and Technology/
Energy Storage Joint Research Center, School of Energy & Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing210096, China
| | - Liang Hong
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Loughborough University, Loughborough, LeicestershireLE11 3TU, U.K.
| | - Chen Xia
- Hubei
Collaborative Innovation Center for Advanced Organic Materials, Faculty
of Physics and Electronic Science, Hubei
University, Wuhan430062, China
| | - Baoyuan Wang
- Hubei
Collaborative Innovation Center for Advanced Organic Materials, Faculty
of Physics and Electronic Science, Hubei
University, Wuhan430062, China
| | - Yan Wu
- Engineering
Research Center of Nano-Geo Materials of Ministry of Education, Faculty
of Materials Science and Chemistry, China
University of Geosciences, No. 388 Lumo Road, Wuhan430074, China
| | - Hongdong Cai
- Hubei
Collaborative Innovation Center for Advanced Organic Materials, Faculty
of Physics and Electronic Science, Hubei
University, Wuhan430062, China
| | - Sajid Rauf
- College
of Electronics and Information Engineering, Shenzhen University, Nanshan, Guangdong Province518000, China
| | - Jianbing Huang
- State Key
Laboratory of Multiphase Flow in Power Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an710049, China
| | - Muhammad Imran Asghar
- Hubei
Collaborative Innovation Center for Advanced Organic Materials, Faculty
of Physics and Electronic Science, Hubei
University, Wuhan430062, China
- New
Energy Technologies Group, Department of Applied Physics, Aalto University School of Science, P. O. Box 15100, Aalto, FI-00076Espoo, Finland
| | - Yang Yang
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Loughborough University, Loughborough, LeicestershireLE11 3TU, U.K.
| | - Wen-Feng Lin
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Loughborough University, Loughborough, LeicestershireLE11 3TU, U.K.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Peng S, Lei S, Wen S, Xue J, Wang H. A Ruddlesden–Popper oxide as a carbon dioxide tolerant cathode for solid oxide fuel cells that operate at intermediate temperatures. Chin J Chem Eng 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cjche.2022.08.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
|
6
|
Shi H, Hu Y, Feng Z, Qu J, Yu Y, Zhang D, Tan W. Solid‐state synthesis of BaCe
0.16
Y
0.04
Fe
0.8
O
3‐δ
cathode for protonic ceramic fuel cells. ASIA-PAC J CHEM ENG 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/apj.2789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Huangang Shi
- School of Environmental Engineering Nanjing Institute of Technology Nanjing China
| | - Ying Hu
- School of Environmental Engineering Nanjing Institute of Technology Nanjing China
| | - Zixuan Feng
- School of Environmental Engineering Nanjing Institute of Technology Nanjing China
| | - Jifa Qu
- School of Environmental Engineering Nanjing Institute of Technology Nanjing China
| | - Yang Yu
- School of Environmental Engineering Nanjing Institute of Technology Nanjing China
| | - Dongping Zhang
- School of Environmental Engineering Nanjing Institute of Technology Nanjing China
| | - Wenyi Tan
- School of Environmental Engineering Nanjing Institute of Technology Nanjing China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Zhang N, Jiang R. Interfacial Engineering of Metal/Metal Oxide Heterojunctions toward Oxygen Reduction and Evolution Reactions. Chempluschem 2021; 86:1586-1601. [PMID: 34874104 DOI: 10.1002/cplu.202100466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Oxygen reduction reactions (ORR) and oxygen evolution reactions (OER) are two very important electrochemical processes for renewable energy conversion and storage devices. Electrocatalysts are needed to accelerate their sluggish kinetics to improve energy conversion efficiencies. Hence, extensive efforts have been devoted to the development of OER and ORR electrocatalysts with high activity and stability as well as low cost. Among these developed electrocatalysts, metal/metal oxide heterostructures attract a great deal of research interest because their catalytic performances can be tuned by interface engineering. In this Review, the latest achievements in interface engineering of metal/metal oxides heterostructures toward ORR and OER are described. The effects of the metal/metal oxide interface on catalysis are first discussed. Then, the approaches for interface engineering are illustrated. The developments of interface engineering in OER and ORR catalysis as well as bifunctional electrocatalysis are further introduced. Lastly, a perspective for future development of interface engineering in metal/metal oxide for OER and ORR is discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nan Zhang
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Advanced Energy Devices, Shaanxi Engineering Lab for Advanced Energy Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, P. R. China
| | - Ruibin Jiang
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Advanced Energy Devices, Shaanxi Engineering Lab for Advanced Energy Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Shi H, Su C, Xu X, Pan Y, Yang G, Ran R, Shao Z. Building Ruddlesden-Popper and Single Perovskite Nanocomposites: A New Strategy to Develop High-Performance Cathode for Protonic Ceramic Fuel Cells. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2021; 17:e2101872. [PMID: 34254432 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202101872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Here a new strategy is unveiled to develop superior cathodes for protonic ceramic fuel cells (PCFCs) by the formation of Ruddlesden-Popper (RP)-single perovskite (SP) nanocomposites. Materials with the nominal compositions of LaSrx Co1.5 Fe1.5 O10- δ (LSCFx, x = 2.0, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, and 3.0) are designed specifically. RP-SP nanocomposites (x = 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, and 2.8), SP oxide (x = 2.0), and RP oxide (x = 3.0) are obtained through a facile one-pot synthesis. A synergy is created between RP and SP in the nanocomposites, resulting in more favorable oxygen reduction activity compared to pure RP and SP oxides. More importantly, such synergy effectively enhances the proton conductivity of nanocomposites, consequently significantly improving the cathodic performance of PCFCs. Specifically, the area-specific resistance of LSCF2.7 is only 40% of LSCF2.0 on BaZr0.1 Ce0.7 Y0.2 O3- δ (BZCY172) electrolyte at 600 °C. Additionally, such synergy brings about a reduced thermal expansion coefficient of the nanocomposite, making it better compatible with BZCY172 electrolyte. Therefore, an anode-supported PCFC with LSCF2.7 cathode and BZCY172 electrolyte brings an attractive peak power output of 391 mW cm-2 and excellent durability at 600 °C.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huangang Shi
- School of Environmental Engineering, Nanjing Institute of Technology, Nanjing, 211167, China
- WA School of Mines, Minerals, Energy and Chemical Engineering (WASM-MECE), Curtin University, Perth, WA, 6102, Australia
| | - Chao Su
- School of Energy and Power, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, 212100, China
| | - Xiaomin Xu
- WA School of Mines, Minerals, Energy and Chemical Engineering (WASM-MECE), Curtin University, Perth, WA, 6102, Australia
| | - Yangli Pan
- WA School of Mines, Minerals, Energy and Chemical Engineering (WASM-MECE), Curtin University, Perth, WA, 6102, Australia
| | - Guangming Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, China
| | - Ran Ran
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, China
| | - Zongping Shao
- WA School of Mines, Minerals, Energy and Chemical Engineering (WASM-MECE), Curtin University, Perth, WA, 6102, Australia
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, China
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Li J, Xie J, Li D, Yu L, Xu C, Yan S, Lu Y. An Interface Heterostructure of NiO and CeO 2 for Using Electrolytes of Low-Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 11:2004. [PMID: 34443835 PMCID: PMC8401789 DOI: 10.3390/nano11082004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Interface engineering can be used to tune the properties of heterostructure materials at an atomic level, yielding exceptional final physical properties. In this work, we synthesized a heterostructure of a p-type semiconductor (NiO) and an n-type semiconductor (CeO2) for solid oxide fuel cell electrolytes. The CeO2-NiO heterostructure exhibited high ionic conductivity of 0.2 S cm-1 at 530 °C, which was further improved to 0.29 S cm-1 by the introduction of Na+ ions. When it was applied in the fuel cell, an excellent power density of 571 mW cm-1 was obtained, indicating that the CeO2-NiO heterostructure can provide favorable electrolyte functionality. The prepared CeO2-NiO heterostructures possessed both proton and oxygen ionic conductivities, with oxygen ionic conductivity dominating the fuel cell reaction. Further investigations in terms of electrical conductivity and electrode polarization, a proton and oxygen ionic co-conducting mechanism, and a mechanism for blocking electron transport showed that the reconstruction of the energy band at the interfaces was responsible for the enhanced ionic conductivity and cell power output. This work presents a new methodology and scientific understanding of semiconductor-based heterostructures for advanced ceramic fuel cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junjiao Li
- Department of Electronic Engineering, Nanjing Vocational Institute of Mechatronic Technology, Nanjing 211306, China;
| | - Jun Xie
- School of Electronic Engineering, Nanjing Xiaozhuang University, Nanjing 211171, China; (J.X.); (C.X.); (S.Y.)
| | - Dongchen Li
- Department of Electrical and Automation, Shandong Labor Vocational and Technical College, Jinan 250022, China;
| | - Lei Yu
- Nanjing SolarU Energy Saving Technology Co., Ltd., Nanjing 210028, China;
| | - Chaowei Xu
- School of Electronic Engineering, Nanjing Xiaozhuang University, Nanjing 211171, China; (J.X.); (C.X.); (S.Y.)
| | - Senlin Yan
- School of Electronic Engineering, Nanjing Xiaozhuang University, Nanjing 211171, China; (J.X.); (C.X.); (S.Y.)
| | - Yuzheng Lu
- School of Electronic Engineering, Nanjing Xiaozhuang University, Nanjing 211171, China; (J.X.); (C.X.); (S.Y.)
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
High-Temperature Electrochemical Devices Based on Dense Ceramic Membranes for CO2 Conversion and Utilization. ELECTROCHEM ENERGY R 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s41918-021-00099-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
|
11
|
Zheng Y, Chen Z, Zhang J. Solid Oxide Electrolysis of H2O and CO2 to Produce Hydrogen and Low-Carbon Fuels. ELECTROCHEM ENERGY R 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s41918-021-00097-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
|