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PhD Research Project: New electrolyte materials for solid oxide fuel cells

Employer
Global Academy Jobs
Location
United Kingdom
Closing date
Sep 30, 2016

Job Details

Details

The electrolyte in SOFCs requires high oxide ion conductivity, negligible electronic conductivity, high stability at both reducing and oxidising conditions as well as at high temperatures. Very few materials could meet all the stringent requirements. The most commonly used electrolyte in SOFCs (for over 50 years) has been yttria-stabilised zirconia (YSZ).

Recently the group of Prof. John Goodenough reported that the compositions with the general formula Sr1−xNaxSiO3−0.5x (SNS) exhibit high oxide ion conductivity. In particular, the composition of Sr0.55Na0.45SiO2.775 exhibit remarkably high oxide ion conductivity that is comparable to that of most conducting rare earth stabilised bismuth oxide. SOFCs constructed using SNS electrolyte exhibit impressive, high power density. Subsequent reports, however, questioned the exact compositions and phase polymorphism of the compounds. Three different groups argued that the final sample after sintering consists of one glassy phase containing Na and one polycrystalline phase SrSiO3 without Na. The Na solid solubility in the polycrystalline phase SrSiO3, if any, is extremely low. These results have led to the proposition that the high ionic conductivity is associated with the secondary glassy phase and the charge carrier may be Na ions instead of oxygen ions. However, one cannot explain the high power density observed in the fuel cells constructed using SNS as electrolyte should the charge carrier be Na ions.

Clearly the research on SNS-related electrolyte materials is still in the very early stage. This PhD project is to clarify the composition-structure-property relationships in SNS. The effect of chemical doping at the Sr-site using larger cations (e.g.,Ba) and at the Si-site using cations with lower oxidation states will also be studied.

Funding Notes

EPSRC funded, stipend £14,600 + fees

 

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