Grain-Controlled Gadolinia-Doped Ceria (GDC) Functional Layer for Interface Reaction Enhanced Low-Temperature Solid...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Catalysis

Background:

• Gadolinia-doped ceria (GDC) is a key oxide ionic conductor used in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs).
• GDC typically functions as a cathode functional layer to enhance the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR).
• Improving oxygen surface kinetics is crucial for advancing SOFC efficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To enhance oxygen surface reaction rates in GDC cathode layers.
• To investigate the effect of grain boundary density and crystallinity on ORR kinetics.
• To improve overall fuel cell performance through engineered GDC nanostructures.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a grain-controlled layer (GCL) concept with GDC.
• Adjusted radio frequency (RF) power during sputtering to control GDC thin film properties.
• Fabricated and tested SOFCs with the engineered GDC GCL.

Main Results:

• Engineered nanograins in GDC thin films directly influenced ORR kinetics.
• Optimized GDC GCL significantly catalyzed the oxygen surface reaction rate.
• Achieved a peak power density of 240 mW/cm² at 450 °C in fabricated fuel cells.

Conclusions:

• The GCL concept offers a novel approach to enhance GDC cathode performance.
• Controlling GDC nanostructure is effective for improving SOFC efficiency.
• This method presents a promising strategy for developing advanced fuel cell materials.