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High Temperature Fabrication of Nanostructured Yttria-Stabilized-Zirconia (YSZ) Scaffolds by In Situ Carbon Templating Xerogels
Published on: April 16, 2017
Enhanced oxygen exchange on surface-engineered yttria-stabilized zirconia
Cheng-Chieh Chao1, Joong Sun Park, Xu Tian
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States. ccchao1@stanford.edu
ACS Nano
|February 13, 2013
Summary
Engineering the surface of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) with atomic layer deposition (ALD) significantly boosts oxygen surface kinetics. This surface modification enhances electrolyte performance in electrochemical devices like fuel cells.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Surface Science
Background:
- Ion conducting oxides, such as yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), are crucial electrolytes in electrochemical devices.
- A key challenge is sluggish oxygen surface kinetics at the gas-electrolyte interface, hindering device performance.
- Improving oxygen incorporation at the surface is essential for overcoming kinetic limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer the surface doping concentration of YSZ using atomic layer deposition (ALD).
- To investigate the impact of surface modification on oxygen surface kinetics.
- To enhance the performance of electrochemical devices by optimizing electrolyte surface properties.
Main Methods:
- Surface doping concentration of single-crystal YSZ was engineered using atomic layer deposition (ALD).
- Isotopic oxygen exchange experiments were conducted to measure surface kinetics.
- Secondary ion mass spectrometer (SIMS) measurements were used to analyze surface composition and exchange.
Main Results:
- Optimized dopant concentration at the YSZ surface led to a significant increase in performance.
- A 5-fold increase in the oxygen surface exchange coefficient was observed after surface engineering.
- ALD-based surface modification effectively reduced the oxygen incorporation barrier.
Conclusions:
- Electrolyte surface engineering using ALD is a viable strategy to enhance oxygen surface kinetics.
- Optimized surface doping concentration in YSZ significantly improves the oxygen surface exchange coefficient.
- This approach offers a promising pathway for improving the performance of solid oxide fuel cells and oxygen sensors.
