Interfacial energy barrier: A crucial factor affecting cathodic polarization resistance of solid oxide fuel cells. (20th April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cui, Meng; Pang, Shengli; Xu, Jie; Long, Chao; Ke, Lingfeng; Yang, Gongmei; Song, Yifan; Fang, Ting; Shen, Xiangqian; Zheng, Fa; Chen, Chonglin
• Is Part Of: International journal of energy research. Volume 46:Number 9(2022)
• Page Start: 12266
• Page End: 12273
• Publication Date: 2022-04-20
• Subjects: ceramic catalysts -- electrochemical impedance spectroscopy -- oxygen reduction reaction -- solid oxide fuel cells; Power resources -- Periodicals; Power (Mechanics) -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Research -- Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1002/er.7994
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0363-907X

Abstract

Summary: The decrease in cathodic polarization resistance is crucial for the development of advanced solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). This can be achieved by using functional ceramic catalysts for enhancing the oxygen reduction reaction. In addition to the bulk and surface properties of the catalysts, the cathode/electrolyte interfacial energy barrier also affects the cathodic polarization resistance of SOFCs. Accordingly, in this study, cells with different interface structures were designed and tested to determine the effect of the interface on the cell performance. The cell with the cathode/electrolyte interface formed by employing Nd1/2 Ba1/2 Co1/3 Fe1/3 Mn1/3 O3−δ as the cathode and Gd0.1 Ce0.9 O1.95 as the electrolyte exhibited an interfacial polarization resistance of 0.12 Ω cm 2 at 750°C, which was 69.8% of the total cathodic polarization resistance. By comparison, the cell with the cathode/electrolyte interface formed by employing Nd1/2 Ba1/2 Co1/3 Fe1/3 Mn1/3 O3−δ as the cathode and La0.8 Sr0.2 Ga0.8 Mg0.2 O3 as the electrolyte demonstrated a decreased in the cathodic polarization resistance from 0.140 to 0.088 Ω cm 2 at 750°C. Therefore, different interfacial energy barriers resulted in variable oxygen anion diffusions through the cathode/electrolyte heterogeneous interface. The above‐mentioned findings can provide useful data for the design and development of high‐performance SOFCs. Abstract : In this work, cathode/electrolyte interfacial energy barrier for oxygen ion transport was disclosed as a crucial factor for the electrochemical performance of solid oxide fuel cells. The cell interface formed by Nd1/2 Ba1/2 Co1/3 Fe1/3 Mn1/3 O3−δ cathode and Gd0.1 Ce0.9 O1.95 electrolyte showed an interfacial polarization resistance reaching 69.8% of entire cathodic polarization resistance at 750°C. Our findings provide a crucial data for the design and development of high‐performance SOFCs.