A Theoretical Model for the Triple Phase Boundary of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Electrospun Electrodes

Abstract

Electrospinning is a new state-of-the-art technology for the preparation of electrodes for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC). Electrodes fabricated by this method have been proven to have an experimentally superior performance compared with traditional electrodes. However, the lack of a theoretic model for electrospun electrodes limits the understanding of their benefits and the optimization of their design. Based on the microstructure of electrospun electrodes and the percolation threshold, a theoretical model of electrospun electrodes is proposed in this study. Electrospun electrodes are compared to fibers with surfaces that were coated with impregnated particles. This model captures the key geometric parameters and their interrelationship, which are required to derive explicit expressions of the key electrode parameters. Furthermore, the length of the triple phase boundary (TPB) of the electrospun electrode is calculated based on this model. Finally, the effects of particle radius, fiber radius, and impregnation loading are studied. The theory model of the electrospun electrode TPB proposed in this study contributes to the optimization design of SOFC electrospun electrode.

Flow Analysis Based on Cathodic Current Using Different Designs of Channel Distribution In PEM Fuel Cells

“…The optimization results showed that the optimal dimension values for the depth of the channel, the width of the channel, the width of the rib, and the transition radius were 0.5, 1.0, 1.6, and 0.5 mm, respectively, with the greatest reaction efficiency (79%) and acceptable formability (1.0). Kong developed a model capturing the key geometric parameters and their interrelationship, which were required to derive explicit expressions of the key electrode parameters in fuel cells [41].…”

Three-Dimensional Numerical Simulation of the Performance and Transport Phenomena of Oxygen Evolution Reactions in a Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzer

“…In addition to the role of the diffusion layer of transferring reactants, the CCM plays a catalytic role in the water electrolysis. The concept of a three-phase boundary (TPB) exists in the water electrolysis reaction [ 24 , 25 , 26 ]. It is believed that in the water electrolysis reaction, the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) only occur in a limited-space area, which is at the junction of the PEM, the catalyst, and the pores of the diffusion layer.…”

Evaluation of the fuel cell performances of TiO2/PAN electrospun carbon-based electrodes

“…Nanoparticle modified nanofibers have been successfully applied in divergent areas such as catalysis [1][2][3], tissue engineering [4], photochemical applications [5][6][7], capacitors [8], energy applications [9], membrane electrodes in fuel cells [10], etc... Fuel cells (FC) are environmentally friendly alternative power sources [11] and until now from solid oxide to microbial FCs various studies have been reported which use the advantage of electrospun polymers [10,[12][13][14][15]. Electrospun polymers exhibit unique electrochemical activity.…”