Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Abstract

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) have potential to be the most efficient and cost-effective system for direct conversion of a wide variety of fuels to electricity. The performance and durability of SOFCs depend strongly on the microstructure and morphology of cell components. As a unique synthesis and processing technique with easy control of composition, structure, morphology, and microstructure, sol-gel processes have been widely used for fabrication of key SOFC materials or critical components with desired properties or functionalities unattainable otherwise. In this chapter, we provide an overview on sol-gel processes applied for preparation of homogeneous and fine powders of electrolyte, electrode, and ceramic interconnect materials, for deposition of dense electrolyte membranes or porous electrode films, and for modification of electrode or metallic interconnect surface or interface to enhance catalytic activity, to improve tolerance to coking or contaminant poisoning, and to increase stability against oxidation, reduction, or other degradation mechanisms. While significant progress has been made in controlling and tailoring the composition, microstructure, morphology, and hence functionality of materials and components, many challenges still remain to make sol-gel processes cost-effective and versatile for many applications. The development of novel sol-gel processes as well as the exploration of the existing ones to new applications continues to be an intriguing research pursuit.

Material and method selection for efficient solid oxide fuel cell anode: Recent advancements and reviews

“…6 Furthermore, it is getting attention because of its fuel flexibility and high efficiency. 7,8 It can generate power up to hundreds of MW with 80% efficiency. 6 The working and efficiency of SOFCs depend upon the properties and materials of the components, ie, anode, cathode, and electrolyte.…”

From Powdered Oxide to Shaped Metal: an Easy Way to Prepare a Porous Metallic Alloy for SOFC

“…It is well known that SOFC offer many advantages such as high energy efficiency (above 85%) via the combination of the production of heat and electricity, and flexibility in the used fuels (natural gas, hydrogen, biofuels or syngas) through the internal reforming capability of these systems [1,2]. Among the different proposed solutions, solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) could be an attractive complementary possibility.…”

“…Among the different proposed solutions, solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) could be an attractive complementary possibility. It is well known that SOFC offer many advantages such as high energy efficiency (above 85%) via the combination of the production of heat and electricity, and flexibility in the used fuels (natural gas, hydrogen, biofuels or syngas) through the internal reforming capability of these systems [1,2]. Nevertheless, one of the drawbacks for the development of this technology is the high working temperature (around 1,000°C), needed to balance the low ionic conductivity of the best performing active materials rare earth nickelates for the cathode [3], yttria-stabilized zirconia as electrolyte (ZrO 2 -8% Y 2 O 3 ) [4] and nickel/yttria-stabilized zirconia cermet for the anode (Ni-YSZ) [5,6].…”

Synthesis of Silica Catalyst Support Particles with Tunable Pore Size via Spray Drying and Calcination

“…Allerdings bleibt die einfache Herstellung von solchen Partikeln mit einstellbarer Porengröße und einem zusammenhängenden Porensystem immer noch eine große Herausforderung. Im Gegensatz zu aufwendigen Flüssigphasenprozessen [3] bietet die Sprühtrock-nung eine einfache und skalierbare Methode zur Herstellung von funktionalisierten Nanopartikeln [4 -5]. Dabei werden kleine Tröpfchen aus einer Suspension mittels eines Zerstäubers generiert und getrocknet.…”