Composite Metal Oxide Particles for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Membranes

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Solution Overview

Problem

The development of composite metal oxide particles for use in solid oxide fuel cells requires materials with specific structural and compositional properties to achieve a dense electrolyte membrane with high ion conductivity, which existing technologies have not adequately addressed.

Innovation Solution

The synthesis of composite metal oxide particles comprising a first perovskite-type oxide, a second crystalline oxide, and a third oxide, with specific peak intensities and stoichiometric ratios, allowing for the modification of secondary particles into perovskite-type particles during sintering, resulting in a dense and uniform membrane.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a thin and dense electrolyte membrane is used in solid oxide fuel cells, then ion conductivity is improved, but manufacturing precision becomes more difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveion conductivityVSAvoidmembrane density uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the electrolyte membrane into a composite structure containing multiple phases: a perovskite phase (La1-xSrxGa1-yMgyO3-δ) and a secondary phase (LaSrGaO4). This segmentation allows each phase to contribute differently to the overall performance, with the perovskite phase providing ion conductivity and the secondary phase enhancing densification, thereby achieving high ion conductivity in thin membranes while maintaining manufacturing precision through controlled phase distribution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite materials by creating a multi-phase electrolyte membrane system. The composite consists of perovskite-type oxide particles (La1-xSrxGa1-yMgyO3-δ) combined with secondary phase particles (LaSrGaO4), where x=0.1-0.3 and y=0.1-0.3. This composite structure enables the membrane to achieve both thinness and density simultaneously, as the secondary phase facilitates densification while the perovskite phase maintains ion conductivity pathways

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Manufacturing precision

If composite metal oxide particles with specific composition ratios are synthesized, then particle uniformity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticle diameter uniformityVSAvoidsynthesis process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the compositional parameters of the composite particles: setting x=0.1-0.3 and y=0.1-0.3 in the perovskite phase La1-xSrxGa1-yMgyO3-δ, and maintaining the secondary phase LaSrGaO4 at 30-70 wt% of total particles. These parameter specifications ensure uniform particle formation during synthesis while the defined ranges provide flexibility in manufacturing, balancing particle uniformity with process feasibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-defining the optimal composition ratios and phase distributions in the particle synthesis stage. The secondary phase LaSrGaO4 is incorporated at predetermined amounts (30-70 wt%) during particle formation, which later facilitates controlled densification and phase transformation during membrane fabrication. This preliminary compositional design simplifies subsequent processing steps while ensuring particle uniformity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The approach results in the production of composite metal oxide particles with small particle diameters and uniform distribution, enabling the manufacture of dense membranes with improved ion conductivity and single perovskite-type particle formation, enhancing the performance of solid oxide fuel cells.

Implementation Method 1

the crystalline secondary particles among composite metal oxide particles are modified into perovskite-type particles during the sintering process

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSintering: Sintering

Implementation Method 2

a first peak having a 2θ value at 32° or more and 33° or less of an X-ray diffraction analysis graph

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectX-ray diffraction: X-Ray

Implementation Method 3

a first peak having a 2θ value at 32° or more and 33° or less of an X-ray diffraction analysis graph

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Data Source

PatentEP3202715B1Composite metal oxide particles
Publication Date: 2022.09.07 LG CHEM LTD
  • EP3202715B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3202715B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3202715B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present specification relates to composite metal oxide particles manufactured by reacting two or more metal oxides and a method for manufacturing the same.