Electrokinetic Insights into the Triple Ionic and Electronic Conductivity of a Novel Nanocomposite Functional Material for Protonic Ceramic Fuel Cells

Idris Temitope Bello, Na Yu, Yufei Song, Jian Wang, Ting Shan Chan, Siyuan Zhao, Zheng Li, Yawen Dai, Jie Yu, Meng Ni

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

36 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Triple ionic and electronic conductivity (TIEC) in cathode materials for protonic ceramic fuel cells (PCFCs) is a desirable feature that enhances the spatial expansion of active reaction sites for electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction. The realization of optimal TIEC in single-phase materials, however, is challenging. A facile route that facilitates the optimization of TIEC in PCFC cathodes is the strategic development of multiphase cathode materials. In this study, a cubic-rhombohedral TIEC nanocomposite material with the composition Ba(CeCo)0.4(FeZr)0.1O3−δ (BCCFZ) is designed via self-assembly engineering. The material consists of a mixed ionic and electronic conducting phase, BaCo1−(x+y+z)CexFeyZrzO3−δ (M-BCCFZ), and a dominant proton-conducting phase, BaCe1−(x+y+z)CoxZryFezO3−δ (H-BCCZF). The dominant cerium-rich H-BCCFZ phase enhances the material's oxygen vacancy concentration and the proton defects formation and transport with a low enthalpy of protonation of −30 ± 9 kJ mol−1. The area-specific resistance of the BCCFZ symmetrical cell is 0.089 Ω cm2 at 650 °C in 2.5% H2O-air. The peak power density of the anode-supported single cell based on BCCFZ cathode reaches 1054 mW cm−2 at 650 °C with good operation stability spanning over 500 h at 550 °C. These promote BCCFZ as a befitting cathode material geared toward PCFC commercialization.

Original languageEnglish
JournalSmall
DOIs
Publication statusAccepted/In press - Sept 2022

Keywords

  • cathodes
  • nanocomposites
  • proton uptake mechanism
  • protonic ceramic fuel cells
  • self-assembled
  • triple ionic and electronic conductivity (TIEC)

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biotechnology
  • General Chemistry
  • Biomaterials
  • General Materials Science

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