Comparative electrochemical investigation of zinc based nano-composite anode materials for solid oxide fuel cell

Abstract

The structural and electrochemical properties of zinc based nano-composites anode materials with a composition of X0.25Ti0.05Zn0.70 (where X = Cu, Mn, Ag) have been investigated in this present study. The proposed X0.25Ti0.05Zn0.70 oxide materials have been synthesized through sol-gel method. The doping effect of Cu, Mn, and Ag on TiZn oxides were analyzed in terms of electronic conduction and power density in hydrogen atmosphere at comparatively low temperature in the range of 650 °C. The crystal structure and surface morphology were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis techniques. The XRD patterns of composites depict that the average crystalline sizes lie in the range of 20–100 nm. Four-probe DC conductivity technique was used to measure the conductivity of the materials and maximum electrical conductivity of Ag0.25Ti0.05Zn0.70 oxide was found to be 7.81 S/cm at 650 °C. The band gap and absorption spectra were determined by ultra-violet visible (UV–Vis) and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques respectively. The maximum power density was achieved to be 354 mW/cm2 at 650 °C by Ag0.25Ti0.05Zn0.70 oxide anode with SDC (electrolyte) and BSCF (conventional cathode) materials.