BaCO<sub>3</sub> Nanoparticles-Modified Composite Cathode with Improved Electrochemical Oxygen Reduction Kinetics for High-Performing Ceramic Fuel Cells

Halefom G. Desta; Quan Yang; Dong Tian; Shiyue Zhu; Xiaoyong Lu; Kai Song; Yang Yang; Yonghong Chen; Baihai Li; Bin Lin

doi:10.3390/catal12091046

Catalysts (Sep 2022)

BaCO<sub>3</sub> Nanoparticles-Modified Composite Cathode with Improved Electrochemical Oxygen Reduction Kinetics for High-Performing Ceramic Fuel Cells

Halefom G. Desta,
Quan Yang,
Dong Tian,
Shiyue Zhu,
Xiaoyong Lu,
Kai Song,
Yang Yang,
Yonghong Chen,
Baihai Li,
Bin Lin

Affiliations

Halefom G. Desta: School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, School of Materials and Energy, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China
Quan Yang: Anhui Key Laboratory of Low-Temperature Co-Fired Material, Huainan Engineering Research Center for Fuel Cells, Huainan Normal University, Huainan 232001, China
Dong Tian: Anhui Key Laboratory of Low-Temperature Co-Fired Material, Huainan Engineering Research Center for Fuel Cells, Huainan Normal University, Huainan 232001, China
Shiyue Zhu: Anhui Key Laboratory of Low-Temperature Co-Fired Material, Huainan Engineering Research Center for Fuel Cells, Huainan Normal University, Huainan 232001, China
Xiaoyong Lu: Anhui Key Laboratory of Low-Temperature Co-Fired Material, Huainan Engineering Research Center for Fuel Cells, Huainan Normal University, Huainan 232001, China
Kai Song: Anhui Key Laboratory of Low-Temperature Co-Fired Material, Huainan Engineering Research Center for Fuel Cells, Huainan Normal University, Huainan 232001, China
Yang Yang: School of Materials Science and Physics, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
Yonghong Chen: Anhui Key Laboratory of Low-Temperature Co-Fired Material, Huainan Engineering Research Center for Fuel Cells, Huainan Normal University, Huainan 232001, China
Baihai Li: Yangtze Delta Region Institute (Huzhou), University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Huzhou 313001, China
Bin Lin: School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, School of Materials and Energy, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 611731, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/catal12091046
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 12, no. 9
p. 1046

Abstract

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The effects of the electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) on the surface of single-phase perovskite cathodes are well understood, but its potential for use in a complex system consisting of different material types is unexplored. Herein, we report how BaCO3 nanoparticles-modified La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3-δ-Gd0.2Ce0.8O2-δ (LSCF–GDC)-composite cathodes improved the electrochemical oxygen reduction kinetics for high-performing ceramic fuel cells. Both X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) studies reveal that BaCO3 is stable, and that it does not show any solid-state reaction with LSCF–GDC at SOFCs’ required operating temperature. The electrochemical conductivity relaxation (ECR) study reveals that during the infiltration of BaCO3 nanoparticles into LSCF–GDC, the surface exchange kinetics (Kchem) are enhanced up to a factor of 26.73. The maximum power density of the NiO-YSZ anode-support cell is increased from 1.08 to 1.48 W/cm2 via surface modification at 750 °C. The modified cathode also shows an ultralow polarization resistance (Rp) of 0.027 Ω.cm2, which is ~4.4 times lower than that of the bare cathode (~0.12 Ω.cm2) at 750 °C. Such enhancement can be attributed to the accelerated oxygen surface exchange process, possibly through promoting the dissociation of oxygen molecules via the infiltration of BaCO3 nanoparticles. The density functional theory (DFT) illustrates the interaction mechanism between oxygen molecules and the BaCO3 surface.

Published in Catalysts

ISSN: 2073-4344 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Technology: Chemical technology; Science: Chemistry
Website: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/catalysts

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