Surface reactivity and cation non-stoichiometry in BaZr_1−xY_xO_3−δ (x = 0–0.2) exposed to CO₂ at elevated temperature

The reactivity of BaZr1−xYxO3−δ (x = 0–0.2) ceramics under 1 atm CO2 at 650 °C for up to 1000 h was investigated in order to elucidate possible degradation processes occurring when the material is applied as a proton-conducting electrolyte in electrochemical devices. The annealed ceramics were characterized by a range of techniques (SEM, TEM, GIXRD, XPS and SIMS) with respect to changes in the phase composition and microstructure. Formation of BaCO3 was observed on the surfaces of the annealed samples and the amount increased with time and was higher for the Y-doped compositions. The subsurface regions were found to be deficient in Ba and, in the case of the Y-doped compositions, enriched in Y in two distinct chemical states as identified by XPS. First-principles calculations showed that they were Y residing on the Zr and Ba-sites, respectively, and that local enrichment of Y both in bulk and on the surface attained a structure similar to Y2O3. Overall, it was substantiated that the reaction with CO2 mainly proceeded according to a defect chemical reaction involving transfer of Y to the Ba-site and consumption of BaZrO3 formula units. It was suggested that a similar degradation mechanism may occur in the case of Ba(OH)2 formation under high steam pressure conditions

Thermal properties of (Gd_0.6Sr_0.4)_0.99Fe_1-xCo_xO_3-δ cathodes for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells

A new series of cobalt-based perovskite (Gd0.6Sr0.4)0.99Fe1-xCoxO3-δ (GSFC-x, x = 0.00, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20 and 0.25) cathodes to aid in the development of intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells are reported. All the perovskites showed the coexistence of cubic and orthorhombic phases. To determine their suitability, the thermal properties dependence on the cobalt content were investigated via dilatometry, thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry. GSFC-x exhibited the promising activity of the oxygen reduction reaction and ion transport from a comparable study. The thermal expansion coefficient of rich-cobalt samples showed a more compatible value to the common electrolyte than other similar cathodes. By varying Co doping, compromises were made between thermal expansion and electrical conductivity. Furthermore, phase stability was observed.</p

134Ba diffusion in polycrystalline BaMO3 (M = Ti, Zr, Ce)

Cation diffusion in functional oxide materials is of fundamental interest, particularly in relation to interdiffusion of cations in thin film heterostructures and chemical stability of materials in high temperature electrochemical devices. Here we report on 134Ba tracer diffusion in polycrystalline BaMO3 (M = Ti, Zr, Ce) materials. The dense BaMO3 ceramics were prepared by solid state sintering, and thin films of 134BaO were deposited on the polished pellets by drop casting of an aqueous solution containing the Ba-tracer. The samples were subjected to thermal annealing and the resulting isotope distribution profiles were recorded by secondary ion mass spectrometry. The depth profiles exhibited two distinct regions reflecting lattice and grain boundary diffusion. The grain boundary diffusion was found to be 4-5 orders of magnitude faster than the lattice diffusion for all three materials. The temperature dependence of the lattice and grain boundary diffusion coefficients followed an Arrhenius type behaviour, and the activation energy and pre-exponential factor demonstrated a clear correlation with the size of the primitive unit cell of the three perovskites. Diffusion of Ba via Ba-vacancies was proposed as the most likely diffusion mechanism

96Zr Tracer Diffusion in AZrO3 (A = Ca, Sr, Ba)

Cation tracer diffusion in polycrystalline AZrO3 (A = Ca, Sr, Ba) perovskites was studied at 1300–1500 °C in air using the stable isotope 96Zr. Thin films of 96ZrO2 were deposited on polished ceramic pellets by drop casting of an aqueous precursor solution containing the tracer. The pellets were subjected to thermal annealing, and the isotope depth profiles were measured by secondary ion mass spectrometry. Two distinct regions with different slopes in the profiles enabled to assess separately the lattice and grain boundary diffusion coefficients using Fick’s second law and Whipple–Le Clair’s equation. The cation diffusion along grain boundaries was 4–5 orders of magnitude faster than the corresponding lattice diffusion. The magnitude of the diffusivity of Zr4+ was observed to increase with decreasing size of the A-cation in AZrO3, while the activation energy for the diffusion was comparable 435 ± 67, 505 ± 56, and 445 ± 45 and kJ·mol−1 for BaZrO3, SrZrO3, and CaZrO3, respectively. Several diffusion mechanisms for Zr4+ were considered, including paths via Zr- and A-site vacancies. The Zr4+ diffusion coefficients reported here were compared to previous data reported on B-site diffusion in perovskites, and Zr4+ diffusion in fluorite-type compounds

Oxygen-Enhanced Chemical Stability of Lithium-Mediated Electrochemical Ammonia Synthesis

[Image: see text] Although oxygen added to nonaqueous lithium-mediated electrochemical ammonia synthesis (LiMEAS) enhances Faradaic efficiency, its effect on chemical stability and byproducts requires understanding. Therefore, standardized high-resolution gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance were employed. Different volatile degradation products have been qualitatively analyzed and quantified in tetrahydrofuran electrolyte by adding some oxygen to LiMEAS. Electrodeposited lithium and reduction/oxidation of the solvent on the electrodes produced organic byproducts to different extents, depending on the oxygen concentration, and resulted in less decomposition products after LiMEAS with oxygen. The main organic component in solid-electrolyte interphase was polytetrahydrofuran, which disappeared by adding an excess of oxygen (3 mol %) to LiMEAS. The total number of byproducts detected was 14, 9, and 8 with oxygen concentrations of 0, 0.8, and 3 mol %, respectively. The Faradaic efficiency and chemical stability of the LiMEAS have been greatly improved with addition of optimal 0.8 mol % oxygen at 20 bar total pressure

Towards understanding of electrolyte degradation in lithium-mediated non-aqueous electrochemical ammonia synthesis with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Lithium-mediated electrochemical ammonia synthesis (LiMEAS) in non-aqueous media is a promising technique for efficient and green ammonia synthesis. Compared to the widely used Haber–Bosch process, the method reduces CO(2) emissions to zero due to the application of green hydrogen. However, the non-aqueous medium encounters the alkali metal lithium and organic components at high negative potentials of electrolysis, which leads to formation of byproducts. To assess the environmental risk of this synthesis method, standardized analytical methods towards understanding of the degradation level and consequences are needed. Here we report on the implementation of an approach to analyze the liquid electrolytes after electrochemical ammonia synthesis via high-resolution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS). To characterize the molecular species formed after electrolysis, electron ionization high-resolution mass spectrometry (EI-MS) was applied. The fragmentation patterns enabled the elucidation of the mechanisms of byproduct formation. Several organic electrolytes were analyzed and compared both qualitatively and quantitatively to ascertain molecular composition and degradation products. It was found that the organic solvent in contact with metallic electrodeposited lithium induces solvent degradation, and the extent of this decomposition to different organic molecules depends on the organic solvent used. Our results show GCMS as a suitable technique for monitoring non-aqueous electrochemical ammonia synthesis in different organic electrolytes

IMPROVED ELECTROCHEMICAL AMMONIA SYNTHESIS

The invention regards a method for electrochemical ammonia synthesis, comprising the steps of: - providing an electrolysis cell having a cathode, - contacting the cathode with a source of cations, preferably lithium cations, a source of nitrogen, a source of oxygen, and a source of protons, wherein the oxygen source provides a predefined oxygen concentration, and - subjecting the cell to a potential and current load, whereby ammonia is synthesized.</p