Reducing the operating temperature in the 500-750 °C range is needed for widespread use of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). Proton-conducting oxides are gaining wide interest as electrolyte materials for this aim. We report the fabrication of BaZr(0.8)Y(0.2)O(3-δ) (BZY) proton-conducting electrolyte thin films by pulsed laser deposition on different single-crystalline substrates. Highly textured...

The commercialization of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) can be significantly promoted with the direct utilization methane, which is primary component in natural gas and second most abundant anthropogenic greenhouse gas. However, carbon deposition on commonly used Ni-based anode bottle-necking issue inhibiting long-term stability methane SOFCs. To avoid such a problem, typically reformed (intern...

Methods of mathematical modeling and numerical simulation of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are increasingly being used as tool to understand and optimize both, fundamental electrochemical properties and technological applications. The goal of modeling activities is to identify critical components and processes responsible for cell and system performance, lifetime and cost. We present a multi-s...

*Correspondence: Fanglin Chen, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of South Carolina, 300 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29208, USA e-mail: [email protected] Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) can convert chemical energy from the fuel directly to electrical energy with high efficiency and fuel flexibility. Ni-based cermets have been the most widely adopted anode for SOFCs. However, the conv...

Abstract Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are efficient and flexible electrochemical energy conversion devices that can power the future green society with regards to homes, cars, even down portable electronics. They do have potential become low cost, since no noble metals used. Their broad commercialization, however, is hampered by high operating temperatures of 700–900 ° C. Lowering temperature...

This article presents a brief review on modeling philosophies of solid-oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) including an introduction to SOFC components and their functions. While a plethora of numerical models is available for SOFC modeling and simulation, this paper focuses on a general overview on mathematical model equations that represent the physico-chemical processes occurring in SOFCs and their bou...

The challenges in development of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are reducing their dimensions and increasing their efficiency and durability, which requires physicochemical characterization at micro-scales of the device components during operation conditions. Recently, the unique potential of scanning photoelectron microscopy (SPEM) has been demonstrated by in-situ studies of externally-driven ...

Using first principles simulations and the Monte Carlo method, the optimal structure of the triple-phase boundaries (TPB) of the Ni/Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia (YSZ) anode in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) is determined. Based on the new TPB microstructures we reveal different reaction pathways for H2 and CO oxidation. In contrast to what was believed in previous theoretical studies, we find tha...

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) with proton conducting electrolyte (H-SOFCs) are promising power sources for stationary applications. Compared with other types of fuel cells, one distinct feature of SOFC is their fuel flexibility. In this study, a 2D model is developed to investigate the transport and reaction in an H-SOFC fueled with syngas, which can be produced from conventional natural gas o...

Materials engineering plays vital role in Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) technology. For example, engineered porous materials are needed to support delicate electrolyte membranes, where mechanical integrity and effective diffusivity to fuel gases is critical; and to construct fuel cell electrodes, where an optimum combination of ionic conductivity, electronic conductivity, porosity and catalyst d...