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Abstract
Although they are emerging technologies for achieving high-efficiency and green and eco-friendly energy conversion, ceramic electrochemical cells (CECs), i.e. solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) and fuel cells (SOFCs), are still fundamentally limited by their inferior catalytic activities at low temperature, poor thermo-mechanical stability, high material cost, etc. The materials used in electrolytes and electrodes, which are the most important components in CECs, are highly associated with the cell performances. Therefore, rational design of electrolytes and electrodes with excellent catalytic activities and high stabilities at relatively low cost is a meaningful and valuable approach for the development of CECs. Nanotechnology is a powerful tool for improving the material performances in CECs owing to the favourable effects induced by the nanocrystallization of electrolytes and electrodes. Herein, a relatively comprehensive review on the nanotechnologies implemented in CECs is conducted. The working principles of CECs and the corresponding challenges were first presented, followed by the comprehensive insights into the working mechanisms of nanocrystalline materials in CECs. Then, systematic summarization and analyses of the commonly used nano-engineering strategies in the fabrication of CEC materials, including physical and chemical methods, were provided. In addition, the frontiers in the research of advanced electrolyte and electrode materials were discussed with a special emphasis on the modified electrochemical properties derived from nanotechnologies. Finally, the bottlenecks and the promising breakthroughs in nanotechnologies were highlighted in the direction of providing useful references for rational design of nanomaterials for CECs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiafeng Cao
- School of Microelectronics and Data Science, Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan 243032, Anhui, China.
| | - Yuexia Ji
- School of Microelectronics and Data Science, Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan 243032, Anhui, China.
| | - Zongping Shao
- WA School of Mines: Minerals, Energy and Chemical Engineering, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia 6102, Australia.
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Arroyo-Caire J, Diaz-Perez MA, Lara-Angulo MA, Serrano-Ruiz JC. A Conceptual Approach for the Design of New Catalysts for Ammonia Synthesis: A Metal-Support Interactions Review. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 13:2914. [PMID: 37999267 PMCID: PMC10674330 DOI: 10.3390/nano13222914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
The growing interest in green ammonia production has spurred the development of new catalysts with the potential to carry out the Haber-Bosch process under mild pressure and temperature conditions. While there is a wide experimental background on new catalysts involving transition metals, supports and additives, the fundamentals behind ammonia synthesis performance on these catalysts remained partially unsolved. Here, we review the most important works developed to date and analyze the traditional catalysts for ammonia synthesis, as well as the influence of the electron transfer properties of the so-called 3rd-generation catalysts. Finally, the importance of metal-support interactions is highlighted as an effective pathway for the design of new materials with potential to carry out ammonia synthesis at low temperatures and pressures.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Juan Carlos Serrano-Ruiz
- Materials and Sustainability Group, Department of Engineering, Universidad Loyola Andalucía, Avda. de las Universidades s/n, Dos Hermanas, 41704 Seville, Spain; (J.A.-C.); (M.A.D.-P.); (M.A.L.-A.)
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He F, Hou M, Du Z, Zhu F, Cao X, Ding Y, Zhou Y, Liu M, Chen Y. Self-Construction of Efficient Interfaces Ensures High-Performance Direct Ammonia Protonic Ceramic Fuel Cells. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2304957. [PMID: 37640369 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202304957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Direct ammonia protonic ceramic fuel cells (PCFCs) are highly efficient energy conversion devices since ammonia as a carbon-neutral hydrogen-rich carrier shows great potential for storage and long-distance transportation when compared with hydrogen fuel. However, traditional Ni-based anodes readily suffer from severe structural destruction and dramatic deactivation after long-time exposure to ammonia. Here a Sr2 Fe1.35 Mo0.45 Cu0.2 O6-δ (SFMC) anode catalytic layer (ACL) painted onto a Ni-BaZr0.1 Ce0.7 Y0.1 Yb0.1 O3- δ (BZCYYb) anode with enhanced catalytic activity and durability toward the direct utilization of ammonia is reported. A tubular Ni-BZCYYb anode-supported cells with the SFMC ACL show excellent peak power densities of 1.77 W cm-2 in wet H2 (3% H2 O) and 1.02 W cm-2 in NH3 at 650 °C. A relatively stable operation of the cells is obtained at 650 °C for 200 h in ammonia fuel. Such achieved improvements in the activity and durability are attributed to the self-constructed interfaces with the phases of NiCu or/and NiFe for efficient NH3 decomposition, resulting in a strong NH3 adsorption strength of the SFMC, as confirmed by NH3 thermal conversion and NH3 -temperature programmed desorption. This research offers a valuable strategy of applying an internal catalytic layer for highly active and durable ammonia PCFCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan He
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, 382 East Road, Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
| | - Mingyang Hou
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, 382 East Road, Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
| | - Zhiwei Du
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, 382 East Road, Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
| | - Feng Zhu
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, 382 East Road, Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
| | - Xiaozhuo Cao
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, 382 East Road, Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
| | - Yong Ding
- School of Material Science and Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30318, USA
| | - Yucun Zhou
- School of Material Science and Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30318, USA
| | - Meilin Liu
- School of Material Science and Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30318, USA
| | - Yu Chen
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, 382 East Road, Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
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Jeong HJ, Chang W, Seo BG, Choi YS, Kim KH, Kim DH, Shim JH. High-Performance Ammonia Protonic Ceramic Fuel Cells Using a Pd Inter-Catalyst. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2208149. [PMID: 36866499 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202208149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
This study reports the performance and durability of a protonic ceramic fuel cells (PCFCs) in an ammonia fuel injection environment. The low ammonia decomposition rate in PCFCs with lower operating temperatures is improved relative to that of solid oxide fuel cells by treatment with a catalyst. By treating the anode of the PCFCs with a palladium (Pd) catalyst at 500 °C under ammonia fuel injection, the performance (peak power density of 340 mW cm-2 at 500 °C) is approximately two-fold higher than that of the bare sample not treated with Pd. Pd catalysts are deposited through an atomic layer deposition post-treatment process on the anode surface, in which nickel oxide (NiO) and BaZr0.2 Ce0.6 Y0.1 Yb0.1 O3-δ (BZCYYb) are mixed, and Pd can penetrate the anode surface and porous interior. Impedance analysis confirmed that Pd increased the current collection and significantly reduced the polarization resistance, particularly in the low-temperature region (≈500 °C), thereby improving the performance. Furthermore, stability tests showed that superior durability is achieved compared with that of the bare sample. Based on these results, the method presented herein is expected to represent a promising solution for securing high-performance and stable PCFCs based on ammonia injection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heon Jun Jeong
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, South Korea
| | - Wanhyuk Chang
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, South Korea
| | - Beum Geun Seo
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, South Korea
| | - Yun Sung Choi
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, South Korea
| | - Keun Hee Kim
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, South Korea
| | - Dong Hwan Kim
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, South Korea
- High-temperature Energy Materials Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, 02792, South Korea
| | - Joon Hyung Shim
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, South Korea
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Huang W, Li Y, Liu C, Ding Y. Conductivity and transport number of Sc and Ce co-doped CaHfO3. J SOLID STATE CHEM 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jssc.2023.123873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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Liu F, Ding D, Duan C. Protonic Ceramic Electrochemical Cells for Synthesizing Sustainable Chemicals and Fuels. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2206478. [PMID: 36651120 PMCID: PMC10015873 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202206478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2022] [Revised: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Protonic ceramic electrochemical cells (PCECs) have been intensively studied as the technology that can be employed for power generation, energy storage, and sustainable chemical synthesis. Recently, there have been substantial advances in electrolyte and electrode materials for improving the performance of protonic ceramic fuel cells and protonic ceramic electrolyzers. However, the electrocatalytic materials development for synthesizing chemicals in PCECs has gained less attention, and there is a lack of systematic and fundamental understanding of the PCEC reactor design, reaction mechanisms, and electrode materials. This review comprehensively summarizes and critically evaluates the most up-to-date progress in employing PCECs to synthesize a wide range of chemicals, including ammonia, carbon monoxide, methane, light olefins, and aromatics. Factors that impact the conversion, selectivity, product yield, and energy efficiencies are discussed to provide new insights into designing electrochemical cells, developing electrode materials, and achieving economically viable chemical synthesis. The primary challenges associated with producing chemicals in PCECs are highlighted. Approaches to tackle these challenges are then offered, with a particular focus on deliberately designing electrode materials, aiming to achieve practically valuable product yield and energy efficiency. Finally, perspectives on the future development of PCECs for synthesizing sustainable chemicals are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Liu
- Department of Chemical EngineeringKansas State UniversityManhattanKS66503USA
| | - Dong Ding
- Energy and Environmental Science and TechnologyIdaho National LaboratoryIdaho FallsID83415USA
| | - Chuancheng Duan
- Department of Chemical EngineeringKansas State UniversityManhattanKS66503USA
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