Gluing Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3−δ with Co3O4 as a cathode for proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells

Abstract

The Ba 0.5 Sr 0.5 Co 0.8 Fe 0.2 O 3−δ (BSCF) + Co 3 O 4 composite material is evaluated as a cathode for proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells (H-SOFCs), which provides a new strategy to solve the thermal mismatch problem between the cathode and electrolyte without impairing the cathode performance. BSCF is a well-known cathode material for intermediate-temperature SOFCs, but its performance for H-SOFCs is unsatisfactory. One reason for the relatively low performance is the poor contact between the BSCF cathode and the electrolyte due to the high thermal expansion of BSCF. The relatively low melting point of Co 3 O 4 is taken in this study as an advantage to bond the BSCF cathode to the electrolyte, mitigating the poor contact problem for the BSCF with the electrolyte. Furthermore, the addition of Co 3 O 4 promotes the catalytic activity of the BSCF cathode as demonstrated by experimental studies and first-principles calculations, leading to an impressively high performance of BSCF-based cathodes for H-SOFCs.

Attempted preparation of La 0.5Ba 0.5MnO 3− δ leading to an in-situ formation of manganate nanocomposites as a cathode for proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells

“…In addition, the relatively short dwelling time can limit the grain growth of the cathode, The ORR procedure of the cathodes was investigated using first-principles calculations in an effort to discover the reaction mechanism. The computation was performed using the VASP software [32], and the parameter settings and calculation specifics can be found elsewhere [33]. Ba-doped LaMnO3 can be synthesized with a Ba-doping concentration of less than 30%, and this result is consistent with the previous report [31].…”

A real proton‐conductive, robust, and cobalt‐free cathode for proton‐conducting solid oxide fuel cells with exceptional performance

“…For instance, the classical oxygen‐ion and electron mixed conducting cathode Ba 0.5 Sr 0.5 Co 0.8 Fe 0.2 O 3 can enable ultra‐high performance for CeO 2 ‐based O‐SOFCs 50 . In comparison, the performance of Ba 0.5 Sr 0.5 Co 0.8 Fe 0.2 O 3 in H‐SOFCs is mediocre 11 . Furthermore, even the triple‐conduction cathode can result in superior performance for O‐SOFCs than for H‐SOFCs.…”

“…Early investigations used cathode materials that work well in oxygen‐ion conducting SOFCs (O‐SOFCs) directly in H‐SOFCs. However, it is recognized that due to the different reaction processes, this technique cannot fully promote cathode reactions, 10 despite the fact that some H‐SOFCs utilizing typical cathodes function well 11 . Proton migration is a vital step in the H‐SOFC cathode reaction process 12 .…”

“…However, it is recognized that due to the different reaction processes, this technique cannot fully promote cathode reactions, 10 despite the fact that some H-SOFCs utilizing typical cathodes function well. 11 Proton migration is a vital step in the H-SOFC cathode reaction process. 12 In contrast, no proton is involved in O-SOFC cathode reactions.…”

A highly-active Zn0.58Co2.42O4 spinel oxide as a promising cathode for proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells

“…It is noted that ZCO is derived from Co 3 O 4 by partially replacing Co with Zn, and the melting point of Co 3 O 4 is 895 °C. It would be reasonable to assume the melting point of ZCO is around 895 °C, and the melted cathode material could improve the wettability of the cathode layer with the electrolyte 57 and thus reduces the R ohm . Therefore, it would be interesting to explore the reason for the low R ohm value of ZCO cells.…”