MEMS-based thin-film solid-oxide fuel cells. (10th September 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: An, Jihwan; Shim, Joon Hyung; Kim, Young-Beom; Park, Joong Sun; Lee, Wonyoung; Gür, Turgut M.; Prinz, Fritz B.
• Is Part Of: MRS bulletin. Volume 39:Number 9(2014:Sep.)
• Page Start: 798
• Page End: 804
• Publication Date: 2014-09-10
• Subjects: Grain boundaries, -- nanostructure, -- atomic layer deposition, -- energy generation, -- transmission electron microscopy (TEM), -- secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS); Materials -- Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1557/mrs.2014.171
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0883-7694

Abstract

Abstract: Abstract : Thin-film solid-oxide fuel cells (TF-SOFCs) fabricated using microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) processing techniques not only help lower the cell operating temperature but also provide a convenient platform for studying cathodic losses. Utilizing these platforms, cathode kinetics can be enhanced dramatically by engineering the microstructure of the cathode/electrolyte interface by increasing the surface grain-boundary density. Nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy studies have shown that oxygen exchange at electrolyte surface grain boundaries is facilitated by a high population of oxide-ion vacancies segregating preferentially to the grain boundaries. Furthermore, three-dimensional structuring of TF-SOFCs enabled by various lithography methods also helps increase the active surface area and enhance the surface exchange reaction. Although their practical prospects are yet to be verified, MEMS-based TF-SOFC platforms hold the potential to provide high-performance for low-temperature SOFC applications.