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Updated: Jun 15, 2026
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Development and Validation of Chromium Getters for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Power Systems
Published on: May 26, 2019
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Selective In Situ Phase Segregation Enabling Efficient and Stable Protonic Ceramic Fuel Cell Cathode Performance
Desheng Feng1, Vanessa K Peterson2, Tianjiu Zhu1
1School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia.
Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|June 9, 2025
Summary
Developing new cathode materials for protonic ceramic fuel cells (PCFCs) is crucial. This study engineered a PCFC cathode with enhanced CO2 tolerance and performance by controlling ion segregation.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Energy Conversion
Background:
- Protonic ceramic fuel cells (PCFCs) require active and durable cathode materials for efficient oxygen reduction reaction (ORR).
- Perovskite oxides with mixed conductivity are promising but degrade in CO2 environments due to alkaline earth elements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel approach for enhancing PCFC cathode performance and CO2 resistance.
- To engineer cathode surface and bulk properties separately using in situ phase segregation.
Main Methods:
- Co-incorporation of Li+ and K+ into a model BaCo0.4Fe0.4Zr0.1Y0.1O3-δ cathode.
- Targeted control of cation size mismatch to induce selective in situ phase segregation.
- Evaluation of the restructured cathode's performance and CO2 tolerance at 600 °C.
Main Results:
- Li+ segregated to the surface, providing CO2 resistance, while K+ remained in the bulk, enhancing proton transport.
- The in situ restructured cathode demonstrated a 30% increase in PCFC power output.
- CO2 tolerance was improved fivefold in the presence of CO2 at 600 °C.
Conclusions:
- Selective in situ phase segregation is an effective strategy for designing advanced PCFC cathode materials.
- The engineered cathode offers a pathway to overcome CO2 degradation issues, improving PCFC durability and efficiency.
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