A review on materials, advantages, and challenges in thin film based solid oxide fuel cells

Abstract

Summary In accomplishment of massive energy demand, the solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) have proven as apotheosis candidates due to their high energy conversion efficiencies, low pollution exhaust, fuel flexibility, and environmental friendliness which make these the most promising alternatives to conventional electricity generators. Despite numerous advantages of SOFCs, large‐scale industrial applications are yet to be realized owing to their high operating temperatures (800°C‐1000°C). To lower the operating temperature, it is crucial to minimize ionic resistances which can be accomplished by reducing the electrolyte thickness to lesser than 5 μm. Therefore, present article embraces a concise review on conventional materials, designs, and generations of SOFCs with their compatibility and drawbacks. The strengths and limitations of conventional and advanced tools for fabricating thin film based SOFCs (TF‐SOFCs) as well as the associated properties of electrolytes and electrodes are thoroughly examined, and further route cast is provided to attain better performance. The present review encourages the development of TF‐SOFCs using advanced techniques employing ultrathin single and bilayer electrolytes which can have potential to reduce the operating temperature of SOFCs from 450°C to 600°C region and pave the way for global commercialization.

Technological Challenges and Advancement in Proton Conductors: A Review

“…In view of advantages, the high operating temperature provides sufficient thermal energy for improved electrochemical kinetics in the absence of an external platinum or gold catalyst. On the contrary, the high operating temperature serves as a primary cause for electrolyte degradation and longer start-up time, − while a curtail in operating temperature perturbs the composition’s microstructure with predominant grain and grain boundary effects at low and intermediate temperatures . Limiting operational temperature of SOFC to intermediate regimes (400–700 °C) introduces large ionic transport resistance and decreases conductivity.…”

Screening for electrically conductive defects in thin functional films using electrochemiluminescence

“…Three key features emerged from this exploration. (1) The choice of buffer is imperative, with different buffers exhibiting more than a factor of 2 variation in ECL intensity with the same luminol concentration at the same buffer pH. (2) Below 3.2 mM luminol, all buffers exhibited an increase in ECL intensity with increasing luminol concentration, which suggests that, in this concentration range, the reaction is diffusion limited.…”

“…Thin multifunctional films are ubiquitous in energy-related devices including fuel cells, 1 batteries, 2–6 and photovoltaics. 7,8 An essential requirement for such films is that they allow the transport of different species to be independently managed.…”

Optimizing LSM-LSF composite cathodes for enhanced solid oxide fuel cell performance: Material engineering and electrochemical insights

“…These endeavors can be channeled towards the incorporation of oxide nanostructures and the fabrication of thin films using advanced physical vapor deposition techniques like sputtering or pulsed laser deposition (PLD) [34][35][36][37]. A primary concern when developing thin film materials for SOFCs is ensuring the structural, chemical, and thermal compatibility between the cathode and electrolyte components [37,38]. In this context, scandium-stabilized zirconia (ScSZ), possessing a fluorite structure, stands out due to its exceptional ionic conductivity, particularly within the intermediate operating temperature range when compared to other ZrO2-based electrolytes [39].…”