Low-temperature properties of orientationally degenerate (OH)− centers in proton-conducting oxides

The research uses the method of high-temperature thermogravimetric analysis to study the processes of interaction of the gas phase in the temperature range 300–950 °C in the partial pressure ranges of oxygen 8.1–50.7 kPa, water 6.1–24.3 kPa and hydrogen 4.1 kPa with La1–xSrxScO3–α oxides (x = 0; 0.04; 0.09). In the case of an increase in the partial pressure of water vapor at a constant partial pressure of oxygen (or hydrogen) in the gas phase, the apparent level of saturation of protons is shown to increase. An increase in the apparent level of saturation of protons of the sample also occurs with an increase in the partial pressure of oxygen at a constant partial pressure of water vapor in the gas phase. The paper discusses the causes of the observed processes. The research uses the hydrogen isotope exchange method with the equilibration of the isotope composition of the gas phase to study the incorporation of hydrogen into the structure of proton-conducting oxides based on strontium-doped lanthanum scandates. The concentrations of protons and deuterons were determined in the temperature range of 300–800 °C and a hydrogen pressure of 0.2 kPa for La0.91Sr0.09ScO3–α oxide. The paper discusses the role of oxygen vacancies in the process of incorporation of protons and deuterons from the atmosphere of molecular hydrogen into the structure of the proton conducting oxides La1–xSrxScO3–α (x = 0; 0.04; 0.09). The proton magnetic resonance method was used to study the local structure in the temperature range 23–110 °C at a rotation speed of 10 kHz (MAS) for La0.96Sr0.04ScO3–α oxide after thermogravimetric measurements in an atmosphere containing water vapor, and after exposures in molecular hydrogen atmosphere. The existence of proton defects incorporated into the volume of the investigated proton oxide from both the atmosphere containing water and the atmosphere containing molecular hydrogen is unambiguously shown. The paper considers the effect of the contributions of the volume and surface of La0.96Sr0.04ScO3–α oxide on the shape of the proton magnetic resonance spectra.

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Direct-Hydrocarbon Proton-Conducting Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13094736 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (9) ◽

pp. 4736

Author(s):

Fan Liu ◽

Chuancheng Duan

Keyword(s):

Fuel Cells ◽

Solid Oxide Fuel Cells ◽

Solid Oxide ◽

Sulfur Poisoning ◽

Oxide Fuel ◽

Power Sources ◽

Proton Conducting ◽

Conducting Oxides ◽

Operating Temperatures ◽

Ion Conducting

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are promising and rugged solid-state power sources that can directly and electrochemically convert the chemical energy into electric power. Direct-hydrocarbon SOFCs eliminate the external reformers; thus, the system is significantly simplified and the capital cost is reduced. SOFCs comprise the cathode, electrolyte, and anode, of which the anode is of paramount importance as its catalytic activity and chemical stability are key to direct-hydrocarbon SOFCs. The conventional SOFC anode is composed of a Ni-based metallic phase that conducts electrons, and an oxygen-ion conducting oxide, such as yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), which exhibits an ionic conductivity of 10−3–10−2 S cm−1 at 700 °C. Although YSZ-based SOFCs are being commercialized, YSZ-Ni anodes are still suffering from carbon deposition (coking) and sulfur poisoning, ensuing performance degradation. Furthermore, the high operating temperatures (>700 °C) also pose challenges to the system compatibility, leading to poor long-term durability. To reduce operating temperatures of SOFCs, intermediate-temperature proton-conducting SOFCs (P-SOFCs) are being developed as alternatives, which give rise to superior power densities, coking and sulfur tolerance, and durability. Due to these advances, there are growing efforts to implement proton-conducting oxides to improve durability of direct-hydrocarbon SOFCs. However, so far, there is no review article that focuses on direct-hydrocarbon P-SOFCs. This concise review aims to first introduce the fundamentals of direct-hydrocarbon P-SOFCs and unique surface properties of proton-conducting oxides, then summarize the most up-to-date achievements as well as current challenges of P-SOFCs. Finally, strategies to overcome those challenges are suggested to advance the development of direct-hydrocarbon SOFCs.

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