Rapidly Enhancing Electrochemical Performance of Perovskite Anode by Extreme Processing

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Energy Conversion

Background:

• Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) offer direct chemical to electrical energy conversion.
• Perovskite oxides are favored for SOFCs due to their stability and conductivity.
• Low operating temperatures limit perovskite-based SOFC performance due to poor electrochemical activity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To enhance the electrocatalytic activity of perovskite anodes for SOFCs.
• To improve the performance of perovskite-based SOFCs at lower operating temperatures.
• To develop a rapid method for activating perovskite oxides.

Main Methods:

• Engineered both the surface and bulk of the perovskite anode La_0.35Ca_0.45Ti_0.84Fe_0.08Ni_0.08O_{3- δ} (LCTFN).
• Utilized progressive extreme processing, including extreme plasma and extreme voltage shock.
• Characterized the changes in oxygen vacancy concentration and conductivity.

Main Results:

• Achieved a significant enhancement in the electrocatalytic activity of the LCTFN perovskite anode.
• Observed increased oxygen vacancy concentration and improved conductivity after extreme processing.
• Attained a peak power density of 1.2 W cm^-2 at 700 °C, a 24-fold increase compared to pristine LCTFN.
• Demonstrated enhanced kinetics for the hydrogen oxidation reaction.

Conclusions:

• Extreme processing is an effective and rapid method to activate perovskite oxides.
• The engineered LCTFN perovskite anode shows significantly improved performance at lower temperatures.
• This approach offers a pathway to lower the operating temperature of perovskite anode-based SOFCs.