research proposal by wody PCFC.docVIP

Why “proton conducting materials”?? Fuel cell, a kind of electrochemical devices that can allow direct conversion from chemical energy to electrical energy, has been given increasingly more attention due to its high conversion efficiency and negligible pollutant emission[1]. Among the various types of fuel cells, SOFCs have their unique advantages, such as no corrosion, no leakage, being able to use kinds of hydrocarbon gas (such as methane and ethane) or syngas as fuel and their high conversion efficiency[2]. In recent decades, intense investigation has been performed into SOFC, especially those with oxide-ion conducting electrolyte. And some commercial manufactures[3], represented by Siemens Westinghouse Co.[4], emerged at the historic moment and contributed much to the practical application and commercialization of SOFC. However, one of the drawbacks that hinders its wide application is the high operating temperature (800℃-1000℃)[5]. Recently, an ever rising number of researchers[6] have been attempting to reduce the operating temperature of SOFC and, meanwhile, guarantee the relatively high ionic conductivity. To achieve this goal, two main approaches have been taken: reduce the thickness of electrolyte or develop novel materials that have high ionic conductivity at intermediate temperature. As is known, development of thin-film preparation techniques, such as electrochemical deposition, plasma spraying, tape casting, tape calendaring and et al., makes it not that difficult to fabricate electrolyte with thickness of 10-30 μm. However, the electrolyte can never be made too thin as, if so, it becomes easier to be broken down by local overheating or higher voltage and may also be too fragile due to the poor mechanical property[7]. Hence, developing alternative materials with high ionic conductivity at intermediate temperature appears more practical and potential. BaCeO3 based oxides, first reported by Iwahara[8] that can efficiently conduct proton at relatively