Membrane Electrode Assembly Electrolyte for Low-Temperature Power Output

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electrochemical devices with solid oxide electrolytes face inefficiencies in power generation at low temperatures due to high operating temperatures, which increase costs and reliability issues, and existing membrane electrode assemblies have insufficient power generation efficiency at 600° C. or less.

Innovation Solution

A membrane electrode assembly featuring a solid electrolyte represented by the composition formula BaZr1-xMxO3-γ, where M is selected from Sc, Er, Ho, Dy, Y, In, Yb, and Lu, and 0<x<1 and 0<γ<0.5, combined with a lanthanum strontium cobalt iron palladium composite oxide air electrode, which enhances ionic conductivity and reduces reaction resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the operating temperature of solid oxide fuel cells is increased to improve ionic conductivity, then the power generation efficiency is improved, but the total cost increases due to expensive heat-resistant materials and heat-insulating materials

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower generation efficiencyVSAvoidtotal cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the solid electrolyte by using BaZr1-xMxO3-γ with specific dopants (Sc, Er, Ho, Dy, Gd, Y, In, Tm, Yb, or Lu) and controlled doping ratios (0<x≤1, 0<γ<0.5), enabling high ionic conductivity at lower operating temperatures, thus resolving the contradiction between power generation efficiency and manufacturing cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material design by combining barium zirconate base structure with multiple potential dopant elements, creating a composite oxide system that achieves enhanced proton conductivity and lower operating temperature requirements, thereby reducing the need for expensive heat-resistant materials

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If the operating temperature is increased to improve ionic conductivity, then the power generation efficiency is improved, but the reliability decreases due to higher probability of cracking from thermal expansion differences

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower generation efficiencyVSAvoidsystem reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By changing the electrolyte composition to BaZr1-xMxO3-γ with specific dopants and ratios, the patent enables operation at lower temperatures where thermal expansion differences are minimized, thus maintaining reliability while achieving sufficient power generation efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the operating temperature is increased to improve ionic conductivity, then the power generation efficiency is improved, but the start time increases and energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower generation efficiencyVSAvoidstart time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the electrolyte composition parameters to enable operation at lower temperatures, which reduces the thermal inertia and allows faster heating to operating temperature, thereby decreasing start time and energy consumption while maintaining adequate power generation efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Device complexity

If a known membrane electrode assembly is used, then the structure is simple, but the power generation efficiency is insufficient at low temperatures of 600° C. or less

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidpower generation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the solid electrolyte to BaZr1-xMxO3-γ with specific dopants and ratios, which fundamentally improves proton conductivity at low temperatures, enabling high power generation efficiency at 600° C. or less without increasing structural complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This configuration improves terminal voltage and power generation efficiency at low temperatures by decreasing reaction resistance and increasing proton conductivity, enabling higher external currents and terminal voltages, thus enhancing the overall performance of electrochemical devices.

Implementation Method 1

the solid electrolyte is a compound represented by the composition formula (1): BaZr1-xMxO3-γ... 0<x≤1 and 0<γ<0.5... decreasing reaction resistance... increasing proton conductivity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectProton conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS12191544B2Membrane electrode assembly, electrochemical device, and electrochemical system

Publication Date: 2025.01.07 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

A membrane electrode assembly according to the present disclosure includes an electrolyte membrane containing a solid electrolyte and a first electrode bonded to the electrolyte membrane, wherein the solid electrolyte is a compound represented by the composition formula (1): BaZr1-xMxO3-γ, M in the composition formula (1) is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Sc, Er, Ho, Dy, Gd, Y, In, Tm, Yb, and Lu, and 0<x<1 and 0<γ<0.5 are satisfied, and the first electrode contains a lanthanum strontium cobalt iron palladium composite oxide.