Catalytic Performance of Calcium-Lanthanum co-doped Ceria (Ce0.85-xLa0.15CaxO2-δ) in Partial Oxidation of Methane

In this study, Ce0.85-xLa0.15CaxO2-δ was synthesized using sol-gel combustion method and appliedfor partial oxidation of methane (POM). The physicochemical properties of catalyst were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Material shows a pure cubical structure and is highly stable up to 850 °C. The performance testing indicated the conversion of CH4 is 65% and selectivity of H2 and CO are 28% and 8%, respectively. The performance indicated the catalyst has a potential to be used for partial oxidation of methane on a larger scale. Copyright © 2021 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).

Physically-based interpretation of impedance spectra of solid oxide fuel cell anodes

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) represent a promising technology for the sustainable production of electricity, whose electrochemical performance needs further improvement. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) allows the identification of the dynamic response of the different processes that contribute to the electrode resistance, but the interpretation of spectra is often a complex task. In this contribution, we adopt a physically-based model for the deconvolution of EIS spectra of composite anodes made of nickel and scandia-stabilized zirconia. The model takes into account the electrochemical reaction (Butler-Volmer-type kinetics) as well as the transport of gases (Stefan-Maxwell model) and charges across the electrode thickness. The microstructural parameters required by the model are obtained from the tomographic reconstruction of the samples. The model is fitted and validated in samples with different Ni volume fractions in a wide range of temperature and hydrogen contents as shown in the Figure. Model simulations indicate that the low-frequency feature of the spectra is mainly due to gas diffusion while the high-frequency arc is the contribution of the coupled ionic transport and electrochemical reaction. In addition, material-specific kinetic parameters are extracted and applied for the interpretation of EIS data obtained in nanostructured electrodes. The results of the study are used to identify the limiting factors of the anode and to guide the design of more efficient electrodes

Enhanced ionic conductivity of scandia-ceria-stabilized-zirconia (10Sc1CeSZ) electrolyte synthesized by the microwave-assisted glycine nitrate process

Scandia-stabilized-zirconia is a potential zirconia-based electrolyte for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs). In this study, the properties of zirconia co-doped with 10 mol% Sc and 1 mol% Ce (scandia-ceria-stabilized-zirconia, 10Sc1CeSZ) electrolyte synthesized by the microwave-assisted glycine nitrate process (MW-GNP) were determined. The effects of microwave heating on the sintering temperature, microstructure, densification and ionic conductivity of the 10Sc1CeSZ electrolyte were evaluated. The phase identification, microstructure and specific surface area of the prepared powder were investigated using X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller technique, respectively. Using microwave heating, a single cubic-phase powder was produced with nanosized crystallites (19.2 nm) and a high specific surface area (16 m2/g). It was found that the relative density, porosity and total ionic conductivity of the 10Sc1CeSZ electrolyte are remarkably influenced by the powder processing method and the sintering temperature. The pellet sintered at 1400 °C exhibited a maximum ionic conductivity of 0.184 S/cm at 800 °C. This is the highest conductivity value of a scandia-stabilized-zirconia based electrolyte reported in the literature for this electrolyte type. The corresponding value of the activation energy of electrical conductivity was found to be 0.94 eV in the temperature range of 500–800 °C. Overall, the use of microwave heating has successfully improved the properties of the 10Sc1CeSZ electrolyte for application in an IT-SOFC

Synthesis and characterization of Sm1-xZrxFe1-yMgyO3 (x, y = 0.5, 0.7, 0.9) as possible electrolytes for SOFCs

The novel perovskite oxide series of Sm 1-x Zr x Fe 1-y Mg y O 3 (x,y = 0.5, 0.7, 0.9) were synthesized by solid state reaction method. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Rietveld refinement, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and conductivity analysis were carried out. XRD patterns of sintered materials revealed the shifted Bragg reflection to higher angle for the higher content of Zr and Mg. This is related to the ionic size of the dopant elements. Rietveld refinement showed that all compounds crystallized in cubic space group of Fm-3m. SEM images showed that the grains were well defined with highly dense surfaces makes it potential as an electrolyte material in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) or gases sensors. Impedance spectroscopy at 550-800 \ub0C shows that conductivity is higher at higher temperature. Sm 0.5 Zr 0.5 Fe 0.5 Mg 0.5 O 3 shows the highest conductivity of 5.451 7 10 -3 S cm -1 at 800 \ub0C. It was observed that 50% molar ratio of Mg and Zr doping performed highest conductivity