Unravelling the role of dopants in the electrocatalytic activity of ceria towards CO reduction in solid oxide electrolysis cells.

CO reduction in Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells (SOECs) is a key-technology for the transition to a sustainable energy infrastructure and chemical industry. Ceria (CeO) holds great promise in developing highly efficient, cost-effective and durable fuel electrodes, due to its promising electrocatalytic properties, and proven ability to suppress carbon deposition and to tolerate high concentrations of impurities. In the present work, we investigate the intrinsic electrocatalytic activity of ceria towards CO reduction by means of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) on model systems with well-defined geometry, composition and surface area.

Production of a monolithic fuel cell stack with high power density.

The transportation sector is undergoing a technology shift from internal combustion engines to electric motors powered by secondary Li-based batteries. However, the limited range and long charging times of Li-ion batteries still hinder widespread adoption. This aspect is particularly true in the case of heavy freight and long-range transportation, where solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) offer an attractive alternative as they can provide high-efficiency and flexible fuel choices.

Passivation and activation of LaSrFeO thin film electrodes.

The oxygen exchange activity of thin dense LaSrFeO electrodes prepared by pulsed laser deposition was investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and electrical conductivity relaxation below 600 °C. The value of the surface exchange coefficient (k) measured at 491 °C decreased from an initial 4.4 × 10 cm s to 1.

A 4 × 4 cm Nanoengineered Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell for Efficient and Durable Hydrogen Production.

Despite various advantages of high-temperature solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) over their low-temperature competitors, the insufficient long-term durability has prevented the commercialization of SOECs. Here, we address this challenge by employing two nanoengineered electrodes. The O electrode consists of a LaSrCoO (LSC) and Gd,Pr-co-doped CeO (CGPO) nanocomposite coating deposited on a Gd-doped CeO (CGO) scaffold, and the H electrode comprises a Ni/yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrode modified with a nanogranular CGO coating.

High-Performance Microchanneled Asymmetric Gd(0.1)Ce(0.9)O(1.95-δ)-La(0.6)Sr(0.4)FeO(3-δ)-Based Membranes for Oxygen Separation.

A microchanneled asymmetric dual phase composite membrane of 70 vol % Gd(0.1)Ce(0.9)O(1.

TOF-SIMS characterization of impurity enrichment and redistribution in solid oxide electrolysis cells during operation.

TOF-SIMS analyses of state-of-the-art high temperature solid oxide electrolysis cells before and after testing under different operating conditions were performed. The investigated cells consist of an yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolyte, a La1-xSrxMnO3-δ composite anode and a Ni-YSZ cermet cathode. The surfaces and cross-sections of the cells were analyzed, and several elemental impurities like Si, Ca and Na were identified and spatially mapped and their enrichment and migration during operation is reported.

Experimental determination of the Onsager coefficients of transport for Ce(0.8)Pr(0.2)O(2-delta).

For a mixed oxide-ion and electron conducting oxide, with oxygen vacancies (V(O)) and electrons (e') or holes (h ) as charge carriers, a flux of (V(O)) (J(i)) can in principle be driven, not only directly by its own electrochemical potential gradient (inverted Delta eta(i)), but also indirectly by that of electrons (inverted Delta eta(e)), and vice versa for the flux of electrons (J(e)). It is common practice to assume that electrons and mobile ions migrate independently, despite the lack of experimental evidence in support of this. Here, all the Onsager coefficients, including the cross coefficients, have been measured for Ce(0.