LSCF Electrode and BZY Membrane for Low-Temperature SOFC

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Solution Overview

Problem

Solid oxide fuel cells with stabilized zirconia electrolytes require high operating temperatures, leading to costly heat-resistant metals and reliability issues due to thermal expansion differences, and existing membrane electrode assemblies with lanthanum strontium cobalt compound (LSC) and BaZr1-xYxO3-δ solid electrolytes do not achieve high power-generation efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A membrane electrode assembly is developed with electrodes formed from lanthanum strontium cobalt ferrite complex oxide (LSCF), lanthanum strontium ferrite complex oxide (LSF), or lanthanum nickel ferrite complex oxide (LNF) in combination with a solid electrolyte membrane of BaZr1-xInxO3-δ (0 < x < 1), reducing contact resistance and improving power-generation efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If high temperature operation is used to improve ionic conductivity of stabilized zirconia electrolyte, then ionic conductivity is improved, but system cost increases due to expensive heat-resistant metals and reliability decreases due to thermal expansion differences

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveionic conductivityVSAvoidsystem reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the operating temperature parameter from high temperature (700°C or higher) to low temperature (below 700°C) by replacing the electrolyte material. This allows the system to achieve good ionic conductivity without requiring expensive heat-resistant metals, thereby improving reliability while maintaining performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite electrolyte structure consisting of a solid electrolyte layer (yttrium-doped barium zirconate, BZY) and a cathode electrode layer (lanthanum strontium cobalt compound, LSC). This composite structure enables low-temperature operation with high ionic conductivity, resolving the contradiction between conductivity and reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Use of energy by moving object

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveionic conductivityVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the operating temperature parameter from high temperature to low temperature, which eliminates the need for expensive heat-resistant metals in structural components. This parameter change directly reduces system manufacturing cost while maintaining ionic conductivity through the specialized solid electrolyte layer

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces expensive heat-resistant metals with conventional metals that can be used at lower temperatures. The specialized solid electrolyte layer (BZY) serves as a thin functional barrier that enables low-temperature operation, making the overall system more cost-effective

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Device complexity

If conventional membrane electrode assembly with LSC and BaZr1-xYxO3-δ solid electrolyte is used, then structure is simple, but power-generation efficiency is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidpower-generation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a composite membrane electrode assembly structure with a solid electrolyte layer of yttrium-doped barium zirconate (BZY) and a cathode electrode layer of lanthanum strontium cobalt compound (LSC). This composite material combination achieves low contact resistance and high power-generation efficiency while maintaining a relatively simple layered structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 combination of specific electrode materials and solid electrolyte membranes in the membrane electrode assembly results in lower contact resistance and enhanced power-generation efficiency, addressing the limitations of existing technologies by improving the overall performance of solid oxide fuel cells.

Implementation Method 1

a solid electrolyte stacked body that permits operation at low temperatures and includes a solid electrolyte having proton conductivity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectProton conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP3229304B1Membrane electrode assembly and solid oxide fuel cell

Publication Date: 2020.05.06 PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORP

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AI summary

A membrane electrode assembly (10) includes an electrode (11) consisting of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of lanthanum strontium cobalt complex oxide, lanthanum strontium cobalt ferrite complex oxide, lanthanum strontium ferrite complex oxide, and lanthanum nickel ferrite complex oxide or consisting of a composite of the compound and an electrolyte material, and a first solid electrolyte membrane (12) represented by a composition formula of BaZr1-xInxO3-δ (0 < x < 1).A second electrolyte membrane having a different composition from the first solid electrolyte membrane is also present. The electrode (11) is in contact with the first solid electrolyte membrane (12).