A heterostructure p-n junction constituting of fluorite and perovskite semiconductors for electrochemical energy conversion. (1st October 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, Jiamei; Zhu, Decai; Zhu, Chengjun; Jing, Yifu; Jia, Xin; Zhang, Yingbo; Yang, Min; Yu, Jie; Fan, Liangdong; Imran Asghar, Muhammad; Lund, Peter D.
• Is Part Of: Energy conversion and management. Volume 269(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-10-01
• Subjects: LT-SOFC -- P-n junction, Heterostructure -- Fluorite structure -- Perovskite structure; Direct energy conversion -- Periodicals; Energy storage -- Periodicals; Energy transfer -- Periodicals; Énergie -- Conversion directe -- Périodiques; Direct energy conversion; Periodicals; 621.3105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enconman.2022.116107
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0196-8904

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: The semiconductor heterostructure 5BKFC-5SNDC electrolyte was designed and developed using BKFC and SNDC. 5BKFC-5SNDC electrolyte possessed good electrolyte function with high ionic conductivity. The electron transmission was blocked and the ion transferring was promoted through p-n heterostructure in the electrolyte. Fuel cell with 5BKFC-5SNDC electrolyte achieved high power density of 911 mWcm −2 at 550° C. Abstract: A semiconductor heterostructure material based on p-type cubic perovskite Ba0.9 K0.1 Fe0.5 Co0.5 O3-δ (BKFC) and n-type fluorite Sm0.075 Nd0.075 Ce0.85 O2-δ (SNDC) forms micro p-n junctions in the low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (LT-SOFCs) improving the electrochemical performance. A highly power density of 911 mW·cm −2 at 550° C was obtained with this material combination as electrolyte in a fuel cell, which is 20 % higher than that of the LT-SOFCs with pure BKFC as electrolyte. An ionic conductivity of 0.14 S·cm −1 at 550° C was achieved when equal amounts of BKFC and SNDC were employed as the electrolyte. Profound analysis of the heterostructure p-n junction shows that it blocks electron transport through mixed electronic and ionic conductor and enhances ionic transport improving the electrochemical performance of the fuel cell. The BKFC-SNDC composite electrolyte materials is a potential electrolyte material for raising the power density of fuel cells at lower temperatures.