Researchers from the Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER), KAIST, and Pusan National University have developed a catalyst coating process that improves solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) performance in just four minutes.
Importance of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are crucial in the hydrogen economy due to their high efficiency and fuel versatility. They enable combined heat and power generation, making them a focus of research and development.
Addressing Air Electrode Limitations
SOFC performance is limited by the slow oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) kinetics at the air electrode (cathode). The research team focused on enhancing the performance of the LSM-YSZ composite electrode, a widely used material in the industry.
Catalyst Coating Process
The researchers developed a coating process that applies nanoscale praseodymium oxide (PrOx) catalysts on the composite electrode surface, promoting the oxygen reduction reaction. The electrochemical deposition method operates at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, requiring no complex equipment. The entire coating process takes only four minutes.
Performance Improvements
The catalyst-coated composite electrode demonstrated significant performance improvements. Over 400 hours of operation, the polarization resistance was reduced tenfold. The SOFC using the coated electrode exhibited a peak power density three times higher than that of an uncoated case, at 650 degrees Celsius. This represents the highest performance reported for SOFCs using LSM-YSZ composite electrodes.
Impact on Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Technology
The catalyst coating technology has the potential to improve the performance of solid oxide fuel cells by addressing air electrode limitations and enhancing the oxygen reduction reaction kinetics. This advancement contributes to the development of more efficient and cost-effective SOFCs, which will play an important role in the world’s cleaner energy future.
