High performance of SDC and GDC core shell type composite electrolytes using methane as a fuel for low temperature SOFC

Muneeb Irshad,Khurram Siraj,Rizwan Raza,Muhammad Shahid Rafique,Muhammad Ahsan,Fayyaz Javed,Imran Shakir

doi:10.1063/1.4941676

Abstract

Nanocomposites Samarium doped Ceria (SDC), Gadolinium doped Ceria (GDC), core shell SDC amorphous Na2CO3 (SDCC) and GDC amorphous Na2CO3 (GDCC) were synthesized using co-precipitation method and then compared to obtain better solid oxide electrolytes materials for low temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFCs). The comparison is done in terms of structure, crystallanity, thermal stability, conductivity and cell performance. In present work, XRD analysis confirmed proper doping of Sm and Gd in both single phase (SDC, GDC) and dual phase core shell (SDCC, GDCC) electrolyte materials. EDX analysis validated the presence of Sm and Gd in both single and dual phase electrolyte materials; also confirming the presence of amorphous Na2CO3 in SDCC and GDCC. From TGA analysis a steep weight loss is observed in case of SDCC and GDCC when temperature rises above 725 °C while SDC and GDC do not show any loss. The ionic conductivity and cell performance of single phase SDC and GDC nanocomposite were compared with core shell GDC/amorphous Na2CO3 and SDC/ amorphous Na2CO3 nanocomposites using methane fuel. It is observed that dual phase core shell electrolytes materials (SDCC, GDCC) show better performance in low temperature range than their corresponding single phase electrolyte materials (SDC, GDC) with methane fuel.

Highlights

Electric power has become the essential part of present life
The ionic conductivity and cell performance of single phase Samarium doped Ceria (SDC) and Gadolinium doped Ceria (GDC) nanocomposite were compared with core shell GDC/amorphous Na2CO3 and SDC/ amorphous Na2CO3 nanocomposites using methane fuel
It is observed that dual phase core shell electrolytes materials (SDCC, GDC amorphous Na2CO3 (GDCC)) show better performance in low temperature range than their corresponding single phase electrolyte materials (SDC, GDC) with methane fuel

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Electric power has become the essential part of present life. Economical and sustainable energy resources are the backbone of current humanity. Fuel Cells have three major components i.e., electrolyte (ion conductor), anode and cathode (electronic and ionic conductor), which can generate electric power as far as incessant fuels (air/oxygen at cathode and fuel at anode) are supplied.[3] Among all types of fuel cells, Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) are most attractive due to their higher efficiency, versatility in fuels and low environmental pollution. The routes available for using methane as fuel for SOFC are; external reforming, direct electrochemical conversion and internal reforming.[17,18,19] The direct use of hydrocarbon for the generation of energy can result into deposition of carbon at high temperatures.[20,21,22]. In present work, doped ceria and carbonate ceria composite electrolytes are synthesized; their structure, thermal stability, ionic conductivity and cell performance are investigated and compared using methane gas as fuel

EXPERIMENTATION

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

CONCLUSIONS