Doped Strontium Magnesium Molybdenum Oxide Anode for SOFC

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Solution Overview

Problem

The strontium magnesium molybdenum oxide (SMMO) material with a perovskite structure has low electrical conductivity, limiting its suitability as an anode material for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), particularly when using hydrocarbon fuels, as it is prone to carbon deposition and sulfur poisoning.

Innovation Solution

Replacing a portion of strontium with cerium and a portion of magnesium with copper in the SMMO material, using citric acid as a chelating agent and sol-gel pyrolysis to synthesize a perovskite-type Sr2-xCexMg1-yCuyMoO6 material, optimizing molar ratios to enhance electrical conductivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If SMMO material with perovskite structure is used as anode material, then resistance to carbon deposition and sulfur poisoning is improved, but electrical conductivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance to carbon deposition and sulfur poisoningVSAvoidelectrical conductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical composition of SMMO through partial substitution of strontium with cerium (x=0.1-0.5) and magnesium with copper (y=0.1-0.5). This changes the electrical conductivity parameter while maintaining the perovskite structure and resistance to carbon deposition and sulfur poisoning, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and energy loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material system Sr2-xCexMg1-yCuyMoO6-δ by combining multiple elements (strontium, cerium, magnesium, copper, molybdenum, and oxygen) in a perovskite structure. The composite nature allows simultaneous achievement of high electrical conductivity (up to 0.74 S/cm) and resistance to carbon deposition and sulfur poisoning, resolving the technical contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Loss of energy

If Ni/YSZ is used as anode material, then ion and electron conductivity is improved, but susceptibility to sulfur poisoning and carbon deposition increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveion and electron conductivityVSAvoidresistance to sulfur poisoning and carbon deposition

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material composition parameter by replacing Ni/YSZ with doped SMMO (Sr2-xCexMg1-yCuyMoO6-δ). The specific doping levels (x=0.1-0.5 for cerium, y=0.1-0.5 for copper) are optimized to achieve both high electrical conductivity (0.74 S/cm) and high resistance to sulfur poisoning and carbon deposition, thus resolving the contradiction between energy loss and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potential harm of using hydrocarbon fuels (which cause carbon deposition and sulfur poisoning in Ni/YSZ) into a benefit by selecting SMMO-based material that is inherently resistant to these harmful effects. The material allows use of cheaper hydrocarbon fuels while maintaining performance, turning the previously harmful operating conditions into advantageous ones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 modified SMMO material exhibits significantly improved electrical conductivity, overcoming the limitations of carbon deposition and sulfur poisoning, making it more suitable for commercial SOFC anode applications.

Implementation Method 1

Citric acid is adopted as the chelating agent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChelation:

Implementation Method 2

By using sol-gel pyrolysis, perovskite-type cerium- and copper-replaced strontium magnesium molybdenum oxide can be synthesized

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSol-gel pyrolysis: Pyrolysis

Implementation Method 3

By replacing the ionic valence electrons at the A and B sites, defects with different valence state in the material can be produced, leading to the mixed ion and electron conductor (MIEC) property in the replaced SMMO material and increasing electrical conductivity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIonic replacement/defect formation: Dopants

Data Source

PatentUS10020515B2Strontium magnesium molybdenum oxide material having double perovskite structure and method for preparing the same

Publication Date: 2018.07.10 ATOMIC ENERGY COUNCIL INSTITUTE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY RESEARCH

AI summary

The present invention relates to a strontium magnesium molybdenum oxide material having perovskite structure and the method for preparing the same. Citric acid is adopted as the chelating agent. By using sol-gel pyrolysis and replacing a portion of strontium in Sr2MgMoO6-δ by cerium and a portion of magnesium by copper, a material with a chemical formula of Sr2-xCexMg1-yCuyMoO6-δ is produced, where 0≤x<2, 0<y<1, and 0<δ<6. Thereby, the electrical conductivity of the material is improved. The perovskite-type cerium- and copper-replaced strontium magnesium molybdenum oxide significantly increases the electrical conductivity of the material and can be applied as the anode material for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC).