New two-layer Ruddlesden-Popper cathode materials for protonic ceramics fuel cells

New two-layer Ruddlesden-Popper(RP)oxide La_(0.25)Sr_(2.75)FeNiO_(7-δ)(LSFN)in the combination of Sr_(3)Fe_(2)O_(7-δ) and La_(3)Ni_(2)O_(7-δ) was successfully synthesized and studied as the potential active single-phase and composite cathode for protonic ceramics fuel cells(PCFCs).LSFN with the tetragonal symmetrical structure(IMmmm)is confinned,and the co-existence of Fe^(3+)/Fe^(4+) and Ni^(3+)/Ni^(2+) couples is demonstrated by X-ray photoelectron spectrometer(XPS)analysis.The LSFN conductivity is apparently enhanced after Ni doping in Fe-site,and nearly three times those of Sr_(3)Fe_(2)O_(7-δ),which is directly related to the carrier concentration and conductor mechanism.Importantly,anode supported PCFCs using LSFN-BaZr_(0.1)Ce_(0.7)Y_(0.2)O_(3-δ)(LSFN-BZCY)composite cathode achieved high power density(426 mW·cm^(-2) at 650℃)and low electrode interface polarization resistance(0.26Ω·cm^(2)).Besides,distribution of relaxation time(DRT)function technology was further used to analyse the electrode polarization processes.The observed three peaks(Pl,P2,and P3)separated by DRT shifted to the high frequency region with the decreasing temperature,suggesting that the charge transfer at the electrode-electrolyte interfaces becomes more difficult at reduced temperatures.Preliminary results demonstrate that new two-layer RP phase LSFN can be a promising cathode candidate for PCFCs.

“Reinforced concrete”-like flexible transparent electrode for organic solar cells with high efficiency and mechanical robustness

Flexible transparent electrodes(FTEs) with robust mechanical stability are crucial for the industrial application of flexible organic solar cells(OSCs). However, their production remains challenging owing to the difficulty in balancing the conductivity,transmittance, and adhesion of FTEs to substrates. Herein, we present the so-called “reinforced concrete” strategy which finetunes the structure of silver nanowires(Ag NWs)-based FTEs with polydopamine(PDA) possessing good adhesion properties and moderate reducibility. The PDA reduces Ag+to form silver nanoparticles(Ag NPs) which grow like “rivets” at the Ag NW junction sites;PDA stabilizes the Ag NW skeleton and improves the adhesion between the Ag NWs and polyethylene terephthalate(PET) substrate and interface layer. The obtained Ag NW:PDA:Ag NP FTE exhibits excellent optoelectronic properties and high mechanical stability. The resulting flexible OSCs exhibit 17.07% efficiency, high flexibility during 10,000 bending test cycles, and robust peeling stability. In addition, this “reinforced concrete”-like FTE provides great advantages for the production of large-area flexible OSCs, thereby paving a new way toward their commercial application.