TUNING THE STRUCTURE AND CHEMISTRY OF SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL ELECTRODES FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE AND STABLE OPERATION

Simple item page
dc.contributor.advisorWachsman, Eric Den_US
dc.contributor.authorHorlick, Samuelen_US
dc.contributor.departmentChemical Engineeringen_US
dc.contributor.publisherDigital Repository at the University of Marylanden_US
dc.contributor.publisherUniversity of Maryland (College Park, Md.)en_US
dc.date.accessioned2022-02-04T06:33:53Z
dc.date.available2022-02-04T06:33:53Z
dc.date.issued2021en_US
dc.description.abstractTheir reliability, fuel-flexibility, and high specific power make solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) promising next-generation power conversion devices. These advantages are theoretically attainable, but current material and structural limitations on the electrodes restrict the true potential of SOFCs on a cell level. Furthermore, ceramic processing challenges hinder the large-scale implementation of SOFCs. Here, SOFC electrodes are redesigned to develop the device closer to its theoretical potential. First, a fundamental investigation into the nature of exsolution materials provides a platform for controlling electrocatalyst properties such as: particle size, population, composition, and contact angle on host. Next, this knowledge is used to design a stable and active anode for the first ever exsolution-anode-supported SOFC and the practical limitations of this approach are identified to lead future research routes. In parallel to this study, a new method for synthesizing cheap, effective catalysts is developed to enable long-term SOFC operation with hydrocarbon fuel without sacrificing performance. Additionally, a systematic study identifies oxygen diffusion as the rate limiting step in the high current regime, and when this limitation is removed with improved system and electrode design, world-class power densities are achieved. Finally, a methodical investigation into ceramic processing of full-scale (5x5cm) SOFCs uncovers that cell flatness can be improved by optimizing green-tape compositions, sintering time/rate/temperatures, and top plate selection. Likewise, electrolyte quality depends on the top plate used in sintering and a light-weight YSZ-coated top plate gives the best balance between flatness and electrolyte quality.en_US
dc.identifierhttps://doi.org/10.13016/7nfs-qdz0
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1903/28421
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.subject.pqcontrolledMaterials Scienceen_US
dc.subject.pqcontrolledEnergyen_US
dc.subject.pquncontrolledceramicen_US
dc.subject.pquncontrolledexsolutionen_US
dc.subject.pquncontrolledfuel cellen_US
dc.subject.pquncontrolledsolid oxideen_US
dc.titleTUNING THE STRUCTURE AND CHEMISTRY OF SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL ELECTRODES FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE AND STABLE OPERATIONen_US
dc.typeDissertationen_US

Files

Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
Horlick_umd_0117E_22060.pdf
Size:
8.19 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Download
(RESTRICTED ACCESS)

Collections

UMD Theses and Dissertations
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Theses and Dissertations