SOFC materials development: Chromite interconnections.

摘要

Solid oxide fuel cells are emerging as an attractive, clean, and efficient technology for the direct conversion of hydrogen and fossil fuels to electrical energy. The major challenge in developing SOFCs is to develop materials with acceptable electrical, thermal and electrochemical properties that can be synthesized, processed and fabricated as a high-performance fuel cell at low cost. The use of these different chromite, manganite, zirconia and nickel material combinations potentially results in several fabrication and performance-related limitations. The most critical problems are the thermal expansion mismatch between these materials, the low electrical conductivities (primarily of the air electrode) and the complex fuel cell fabrication/process steps required. Critical thermal, electrochemical and electrical properties are compromised in order to achieve compatibility between materials and improved fuel cell performance. The objectives of this research are to: develop a broader selection of alternative SOFC current interconnections and air electrode materials with improved electrical, thermal and electrochemical properties leading to enhanced and long-term performance of SOFCs; develop advanced synthesis and fabrication processes for both state-of-the-art La(Sr)CrO(sub 3) and new and alternative materials for use as interconnection and air electrode materials in SOFCs. (ERA citation 15:034609)