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 language | English |
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Journal | Small |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Accepted/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