Enhancing cathode performance for CO2 electrolysis with Ce0.9M0.1O2-δ（M=Fe, Co, Ni） catalysts in solid oxide electrolysis cell

Electrochemical conversion with solid oxide electrolysis cells is a promising technology for CO2 utilization and simultaneously store renewable energy.In this work,Ce0.9M0.1O2-δ(CeM,M=Fe,Co,Ni)catalysts are infiltrated into La0.6Sr0.4Cr0.5Fe0.5O3-δ-Gd0.2Ce0.8O2-δ(LSCr Fe-GDC)cathode to enhance the electrochemical performance for CO2 electrolysis.CeCo-LSCrFe-GDC cell obtains the best performance with a current density of 0.652 A cm^-2,followed by CeFe-LSCrFe-GDC and CeNi-LSCrFe-GDC cells with the value of 0.603 and 0.535 A cm^-2,respectively,about 2.44,2.26 and 2.01 times higher than that of the LSCrFe-GDC cell at1.5 V and 800℃.Electrochemical impedance spectra combined with distributions of relaxed times analysis shows that both CO2 adsorption process and the dissociation of CO2 at triple phase boundaries are accelerated by Ce M catalysts,while the latter is the key rate-determining step.

Hybrid alternate projection algorithm and its application for practical conformal array pattern synthesis

Based on the fabricated 12-element cavity-backed microstrip sector cylinder array,a novel hybrid alternate projection algorithm（HAPA）,which combines analytical method with numerical techniques effectively,is proposed for synthesizing the pattern of practical conformal array.The algorithm applies the variable direction aperture projection method with mutual coupling correction techniques to provide the good initial excitations of elements to the enhanced alternate projection algorithm（EAPA）.In order to do further optimization,which improves the convergent speed of the algorithm significantly.Finally,the HAPA has been applied to the fabricated sector cylinder array with mutual coupling considered.The results of synthesized patterns,such as low sidelobe with null points formed pattern,beam scanning with low sidelobe pattern and the shaped beam pattern are presented.It demonstrates the validity of HAPA in practical conformal array synthesis.

K-doped BaCo_(0.4)Fe_(0.4)Zr_(0.2)O_(3−δ) as a promising cathode material for protonic ceramic fuel cells

Slow oxygen reduction reaction(ORR)involving proton transport remains the limiting factor for electrochemical performance of proton-conducting cathodes.To further reduce the operating temperature of protonic ceramic fuel cells(PCFCs),developing triple-conducting cathodes with excellent electrochemical performance is required.In this study,K-doped BaCo_(0.4)Fe_(0.4)Zr_(0.2)O_(3−δ)(BCFZ442)series were developed and used as the cathodes of the PCFCs,and their crystal structure,conductivity,hydration capability,and electrochemical performance were characterized in detail.Among them,Ba_(0.9)K_(0.1)Co_(0.4)Fe_(0.4)Zr_(0.2)O_(3−δ)(K10)cathode has the best electrochemical performance,which can be attributed to its high electron(e^(−))/oxygen ion(O^(2−))/H^(+)conductivity and proton uptake capacity.At 750℃,the polarization resistance of the K10 cathode is only 0.009Ω·cm^(2),the peak power density(PPD)of the single cell with the K10 cathode is close to 1 W·cm^(−2),and there is no significant degradation within 150 h.Excellent electrochemical performance and durability make K10 a promising cathode material for the PCFCs.This work can provide a guidance for further improving the proton transport capability of the triple-conducting oxides,which is of great significance for developing the PCFC cathodes with excellent electrochemical performance.