Cathode Materials Development for Proton Conducting SOFCs

• Author / Creator

  Zhou, Guihua

• Thin film electrolyte and new cathode catalysts were developed to improve the performance of proton conducting solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs).
  Electrolyte BaCe0.7Zr0.1Y0.2O3-δ; (BCZY) and cathode materials La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3-δ; (LSCF) and Sr0.7Ce0.3MnO3-δ; (SCM) were synthesized using the citrate-nitrate combustion method, and characterized using XRD. Thin film electrolyte was successfully prepared using a spin coating technique.
  Two cathode catalysts were developed: a composite cathode comprising Ag-modified LSCF+BCZY, and SCM. Chemical compatibility between LSCF and BCZY and chemical stability of LSCF in CO2-containing atmosphere were demonstrated. The electrochemical performance of the composite cathode was dependent on Ag content in the composite cathode, peaking at a power density of 563 mW.cm-2 at 700 °C for Ni+BCZY|BCZY|10 wt% Ag-(LSCF+BCZY) thin film button cell. The performance of SCM was dependent on the cathode firing temperature. The highest peak power density, 378 mW.cm-2, was obtained at 700 °C for Ni+BCZY|BCZY|SCM single cell with SCM fired at 1100 °C.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Citrate-nitrate combustion method
  • Spin coating
  • Cathode materials

• Graduation date

  Spring 2012

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3PM21

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.