Recent advance in physical description and material development for single component SOFC: A mini-review

Abstract

Despite the high capabilities to replace combustion systems and produce sustainable energy, solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) still have not yet been successfully commercialized. In this context, single component SOFC has been developed as a new oriented fuel cell R&D strategy in the past decades, providing great promise to commercialization. This paper presents a mini review on recent studies with respect to the development of the state-of-the-art single component SOFC to overcome the constraints of high operating temperatures. Different from conventional three-component SOFC, the single component SOFC is featured of containing a homogeneous layer with hybrid dual ions (O2–/H+) conduction based on semiconductor-ion hetero-structure materials. The Schottky or p-n junction built-in electric field evidence the cell operation even at low-temperature up to (300–600 °C), which brings a new overwhelming framework for research and development of fuel cell. The functionality of the single component is principally determined by the interface kinetics, which has dimensions of super-fast (hybrid) ionic transport. Therefore, innovative design of semiconducting-ionic materials is systematically reviewed in terms of inter-facial properties/mechanisms, and transition from non-functional to functional materials with potential of dual ions conduction. Further, it is followed by weighted the potential of this new device as compared with conventional SOFCs. Finally, the future framework, advancement, and bright perspectives of this innovative device have been discussed.