AI Chat Paper
Discover the SciOpen Platform and Achieve Your Research Goals with Ease.
Nb-doped SrFeO3−δ (SFO) is used as a cathode in proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells (H-SOFCs). First-principles calculations show that the SrFe0.9Nb0.1O3−δ (SFNO) cathode has a lower energy barrier in the cathode reaction for H-SOFCs than the Nb-free SrFeO3−δ cathode. Subsequent experimental studies show that Nb doping substantially enhances the performance of the SrFeO3−δ cathode. Then, oxygen vacancies (VO) were introduced into SFNO using the microwave sintering method, further improving the performance of the SFNO cathode. The mechanism behind the performance improvement owing to VO was revealed using first-principles calculations, with further optimization of the SFNO cathode achieved by developing a suitable wet chemical synthesis route to prepare nanosized SFNO materials. This method significantly reduces the grain size of SFNO compared with the conventional solid-state reaction method, although the solid-state reaction method is generally used for preparing Nb-containing oxides. As a result of defect engineering and synthesis approaches, the SFNO cathode achieved an attractive fuel cell performance, attaining an output of 1764 mW·cm−2 at 700 °C and operating for more than 200 h. The manipulation of Nb-doped SrFeO3−δ can be seen as a “one stone, two birds” strategy, enhancing cathode performance while retaining good stability, thus providing an interesting approach for constructing high-performance cathodes for H-SOFCs.
Zhang YW, Mei J, Yan C, et al. Bioinspired 2D nanomaterials for sustainable applications. Adv Mater 2020, 32: 1902806.
Tarancón A, Esposito V, Torrell M, et al. 2022 roadmap on 3D printing for energy. J Phys Energy 2022, 4: 011501.
Zhang Y, Chen B, Guan DQ, et al. Thermal-expansion offset for high-performance fuel cell cathodes. Nature 2021, 591: 246–251.
Anelli S, Rosa M, Baiutti F, et al. Hybrid-3D printing of symmetric solid oxide cells by inkjet printing and robocasting. Addit Manuf 2022, 51: 102636.
Kilner JA, Burriel M. Materials for intermediate-temperature solid-oxide fuel cells. Annu Rev Mater Res 2014, 44: 365–393.
Zhao CH, Li YF, Zhang WQ, et al. Heterointerface engineering for enhancing the electrochemical performance of solid oxide cells. Energy Environ Sci 2020, 13: 53–85.
Zhang HL, Chen T, Huang ZZ, et al. A cathode-supported solid oxide fuel cell prepared by the phase-inversion tape casting and impregnating method. Int J Hydrogen Energ 2022, 47: 18810–18819.
Gao JT, Li Q, Zhang ZP, et al. A cobalt-free bismuth ferrite-based cathode for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells. Electrochem Commun 2021, 125: 106978.
Chen M, Chen DC, Wang K, et al. Densification and electrical conducting behavior of BaZr0.9Y0.1O3− δ proton conducting ceramics with NiO additive. J Alloy Compd 2019, 781: 857–865.
Zvonareva I, Fu XZ, Medvedev D, et al. Electrochemistry and energy conversion features of protonic ceramic cells with mixed ionic-electronic electrolytes. Energ Environ Sci 2022, 15: 439–465.
Chen M, Xie XB, Guo JH, et al. Space charge layer effect at the platinum anode/BaZr0.9Y0.1O3− δ electrolyte interface in proton ceramic fuel cells. J Mater Chem A 2020, 8: 12566–12575.
Yang SJ, Zhang SP, Sun C, et al. Lattice incorporation of Cu2+ into the BaCe0.7Zr0.1Y0.1Yb0.1O3– δ electrolyte on boosting its sintering and proton-conducting abilities for reversible solid oxide cells. ACS Appl Mater Inter 2018, 10: 42387–42396.
Cao D, Zhou MY, Yan XM, et al. High performance low-temperature tubular protonic ceramic fuel cells based on barium cerate–zirconate electrolyte. Electrochem Commun 2021, 125: 106986.
Xu YS, Yu SF, Yin YR, et al. Taking advantage of Li-evaporation in LiCoO2 as cathode for proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells. J Adv Ceram 2022, 11: 1849–1859.
Song YF, Chen YB, Wang W, et al. Self-assembled triple-conducting nanocomposite as a superior protonic ceramic fuel cell cathode. Joule 2019, 3: 2842–2853.
Liang MZ, He F, Zhou C, et al. Nickel-doped BaCo0.4Fe0.4Zr0.1Y0.1O3− δ as a new high-performance cathode for both oxygen-ion and proton conducting fuel cells. Chem Eng J 2021, 420: 127717.
Duan CC, Tong JH, Shang M, et al. Readily processed protonic ceramic fuel cells with high performance at low temperatures. Science 2015, 349: 1321–1326.
Yin YR, Dai HL, Yu SF, et al. Tailoring cobalt-free La0.5Sr0.5FeO3− δ cathode with a nonmetal cation-doping strategy for high-performance proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells. SusMat 2022, 2: 607–616.
Yamaura H, Ikuta T, Yahiro H, et al. Cathodic polarization of strontium-doped lanthanum ferrite in proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cell. Solid State Ionics 2005, 176: 269–274.
Zhang LL, Yin YR, Xu YS, et al. Tailoring Sr2Fe1.5Mo0.5O6− δ with Sc as a new single-phase cathode for proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells. Sci China Mater 2022, 65: 1485–1494.
Ren RZ, Wang ZH, Meng XG, et al. Tailoring the oxygen vacancy to achieve fast intrinsic proton transport in a perovskite cathode for protonic ceramic fuel cells. ACS Appl Energy Mater 2020, 3: 4914–4922.
Yin YR, Xiao DD, Wu S, et al. A real proton-conductive, robust, and cobalt-free cathode for proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells with exceptional performance. SusMat 2023, 3: 697–708.
Xi XA, Liu JW, Luo WZ, et al. Unraveling the enhanced kinetics of Sr2Fe1+ x Mo1− x O6− δ electrocatalysts for high-performance solid oxide cells. Adv Energy Mater 2021, 11: 2102845.
Geng CL, Wu H, Yang Y, et al. A new in situ synthetic triple-conducting core–shell electrode for protonic ceramic fuel cells. ACS Sustain Chem Eng 2021, 9: 11070–11079.
Zhou QJ, Zhang LL, He TM. Cobalt-free cathode material SrFe0.9Nb0.1O3− δ for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells. Electrochem Commun 2010, 12: 285–287.
Han YY, Yi JX, Guo X. Improving the chemical stability of oxygen permeable SrFeO3– δ perovskite in CO2 by niobium doping. Solid State Ionics 2014, 267: 44–48.
Jiang SS, Sunarso J, Zhou W, et al. Cobalt-free SrNb x Fe1– x O3– δ ( x = 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2) perovskite cathodes for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells. J Power Sources 2015, 298: 209–216.
Kresse G, Furthmüller J. Efficient iterative schemes for ab initio total-energy calculations using a plane-wave basis set. Phys Rev B 1996, 54: 11169–11186.
Wang LL, Gu YY, Dai HL, et al. Sr and Fe co-doped Ba2In2O5 as a new proton-conductor-derived cathode for proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells. J Eur Ceram Soc 2023, 43: 4573–4579.
Yang X, Yin YR, Yu SF, et al. Gluing Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3− δ with Co3O4 as a cathode for proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells. Sci China Mater 2023, 66: 955–963.
Zhou R, Yin YR, Dai HL, et al. Attempted preparation of La0.5Ba0.5MnO3– δ leading to an in-situ formation of manganate nanocomposites as a cathode for proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells. J Adv Ceram 2023, 12: 1189–1200.
Haugsrud R, Norby T. Proton conduction in rare-earth ortho-niobates and ortho-tantalates. Nat Mater 2006, 5: 193–196.
Muñoz-García AB, Tuccillo M, Pavone M. Computational design of cobalt-free mixed proton–electron conductors for solid oxide electrochemical cells. J Mater Chem A 2017, 5: 11825–11833.
Bi L, Fabbri E, Sun ZQ, et al. BaZr0.8Y0.2O3− δ –NiO composite anodic powders for proton-conducting SOFCs prepared by a combustion method. J Electrochem Soc 2011, 158: B797–B803.
Haile SM, Staneff G, Ryu KH. Non-stoichiometry, grain boundary transport and chemical stability of proton conducting perovskites. J Mater Sci 2001, 36: 1149–1160.
He F, Wu TZ, Peng RR, et al. Cathode reaction models and performance analysis of Sm0.5Sr0.5CoO3– δ –BaCe0.8Sm0.2O3– δ composite cathode for solid oxide fuel cells with proton conducting electrolyte. J Power Sources 2009, 194: 263–268.
Kournoutis VC, Tietz F, Bebelis S. AC impedance characterisation of a La0.8Sr0.2Co0.2Fe0.8O3– δ electrode. Fuel Cells 2009, 9: 852–860.
Xu YS, Xu X, Bi L. A high-entropy spinel ceramic oxide as the cathode for proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells. J Adv Ceram 2022, 11: 794–804.
Qiu P, Liu B, Wu L, et al. K-doped BaCo0.4Fe0.4Zr0.2O3− δ as a promising cathode material for protonic ceramic fuel cells. J Adv Ceram 2022, 11: 1988–2000.
Niu YH, Zhou YC, Zhang WL, et al. Highly active and durable air electrodes for reversible protonic ceramic electrochemical cells enabled by an efficient bifunctional catalyst. Adv Energy Mater 2022, 12: 2103783.
Ji QQ, Bi L, Zhang JT, et al. The role of oxygen vacancies of ABO3 perovskite oxides in the oxygen reduction reaction. Energ Environ Sci 2020, 13: 1408–1428.
Li YF, Xu YS, Yin YR, et al. Entropy engineering design of high-performing lithiated oxide cathodes for proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells. J Adv Ceram 2023, 12: 2017–2031.
Wang LL, Zhang LL, Yu SF, et al. Microwave-induced oxygen vacancy-rich surface boosts the cathode performance for proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells. Ceram Int 2023, 49: 22608–22616.
Che Abdullah SSB, Teranishi T, Hayashi H, et al. Millimeter-wave irradiation heating for operation of doped CeO2 electrolyte-supported single solid oxide fuel cell. J Power Sources 2018, 374: 92–96.
Fukushima J, Kashimura K, Takayama S, et al. In-situ kinetic study on non-thermal reduction reaction of CuO during microwave heating. Mater Lett 2013, 91: 252–254.
Che Abdullah SSB, Teranishi T, Hayashi H, et al. Enhanced electrical conductivity of doped CeO2 under millimeter-wave irradiation heating. Mater Design 2017, 115: 231–237.
Yin YR, Zhou YB, Gu YY, et al. Successful preparation of BaCo0.5Fe0.5O3− δ cathode oxide by rapidly cooling allowing for high-performance proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells. J Adv Ceram 2023, 12: 587–597.
Zhang XH, Pei CL, Chang X, et al. FeO6 octahedral distortion activates lattice oxygen in perovskite ferrite for methane partial oxidation coupled with CO2 splitting. J Am Chem Soc 2020, 142: 11540–11549.
Bi L, Boulfrad S, Traversa E. Steam electrolysis by solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) with proton-conducting oxides. Chem Soc Rev 2014, 43: 8255–8270.
Wu S, Xu X, Li XM, et al. High-performance proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells using the first-generation Sr-doped LaMnO3 cathode tailored with Zn ions. Sci China Mater 2022, 65: 675–682.
Ling YH, Guo TM, Guo YY, et al. New two-layer Ruddlesden—Popper cathode materials for protonic ceramics fuel cells. J Adv Ceram 2021, 10: 1052–1060.
Bi L, Traversa E. Synthesis strategies for improving the performance of doped-BaZrO3 materials in solid oxide fuel cell applications. J Mater Res 2014, 29: 1–15.
Zou D, Yi YN, Song YF, et al. The BaCe0.16Y0.04Fe0.8O3− δ nanocomposite: A new high-performance cobalt-free triple-conducting cathode for protonic ceramic fuel cells operating at reduced temperatures. J Mater Chem A 2022, 10: 5381–5390.
Yin YR, Yu SF, Dai HL, et al. Triggering interfacial activity of the traditional La0.5Sr0.5MnO3 cathode with co-doping for proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells. J Mater Chem A 2022, 10: 1726–1734.
Xu Y, Hu F, Guo YM, et al. Probing oxygen reduction and water uptake kinetics of BaCo0.4Fe0.4Zr0.1Y0.1− x Zn x O3− δ cathodes for protonic ceramic fuel cells. Sep Purif Technol 2022, 297: 121482.
Ma ZL, Ye QR, Zhang BK, et al. A highly efficient and robust bifunctional perovskite-type air electrode with triple-conducting behavior for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells. Adv Funct Mater 2022, 32: 2209054.
Zhu K, Yang Y, Huan DM, et al. Theoretical and experimental investigations on K-doped SrCo0.9Nb0.1O3− δ as a promising cathode for proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells. ChemSusChem 2021, 14: 3876–3886.
Wang Q, Hou J, Fan Y, et al. Pr2BaNiMnO7− δ double-layered Ruddlesden–Popper perovskite oxides as efficient cathode electrocatalysts for low temperature proton conducting solid oxide fuel cells. J Mater Chem A 2020, 8: 7704–7712.
Zhou R, Gu YY, Dai HL, et al. In-situ exsolution of PrO2− x nanoparticles boost the performance of traditional Pr0.5Sr0.5MnO3− δ cathode for proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells. J Eur Ceram Soc 2023, 43: 6612–6621.
Li YF, Yu SF, Dai HL, et al. TiO2-induced electronic change in traditional La0.5Sr0.5MnO3− δ cathode allows high performance of proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells. Sci China Mater 2023, 66: 3475–3483.
Sun C, Li YP, Ye XF, et al. A robust air electrode supported proton-conducting reversible solid oxide cells prepared by low temperature co-sintering. J Power Sources 2021, 492: 229602.
Gou ML, Ren RZ, Sun W, et al. Nb-doped Sr2Fe1.5Mo0.5O6− δ electrode with enhanced stability and electrochemical performance for symmetrical solid oxide fuel cells. Ceram Int 2019, 45: 15696–15704.
853
Views
216
Downloads
5
Crossref
2
Web of Science
6
Scopus
0
CSCD
Altmetrics
This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
