abstract
Solid oxide fuel cells are extremely flexible energy conversion systems able to operate within a broad temperature range (500-1000 degrees C), with a variety of fuels (from hydrogen to liquid fuels), including concepts able to be scaled to deliver power from the milliwatt to the megawatt range. The solid electrolyte, as an ionic charge carrier, is one central component that determines the operational characteristics of the fuel cell system, namely the working temperature. Design of new electrolytes includes manipulation of ionic defects concentration and mobility. Here, particular attention is given to the impact on ionic transport of point defects in various types of structures, dislocations, grain boundaries, and heterostructure interfaces. Properties derived from structural and compositional characteristics, but also from microstructural features, including recent complex engineered thin films, are reviewed. Major families of materials are compared with respect to key performance parameters. Finally, the effects of composition, structure, microstructure, and strain on ionic transport are assessed as complementary tools for future developments in solid electrolyte materials. (C) 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
keywords
YTTRIA-STABILIZED ZIRCONIA; ENHANCED IONIC-CONDUCTIVITY; DOPED LANTHANUM GALLATE; ELECTRICAL-PROPERTIES; TRANSPORT-PROPERTIES; GRAIN-BOUNDARIES; COMPOSITE ELECTROLYTES; ELECTRONIC CONDUCTION; CERIA; DEFECT
subject category
Energy & Fuels
authors
Figueiredo, FML; Marques, FMB
our authors
Fernando Manuel Bico Marques
Full professor