Correlation between hydration properties and electrochemical performances on Ln cation size effect in layered perovskite for protonic ceramic fuel cells

PrBa_(0.5)Sr_(0.5)Co_(1.5)Fe_(0.5)O_(5+δ)(PrBSCF) has attracted much research interest as a potential triple ionic and electronic conductor(TIEC) electrode for protonic ceramic fuel cells(PCFCs). The chemical formula for Pr BSCF is AA'B_(2)O_(5+δ), with Pr(A-site) and Ba/Sr(A'-site) alternately stacked along the c-axis. Due to these structural features, the bulk oxygen ion diffusivity is significantly enhanced through the disorder-free channels in the PrO layer;thus, the A site cations(lanthanide ions) play a pivotal role in determining the overall electrochemical properties of layered perovskites. Consequently, previous research has predominantly focused on the electrical properties and oxygen bulk/surface kinetics of Ln cation effects,whereas the hydration properties for PCFC systems remain unidentified. Here, we thoroughly examined the proton uptake behavior and thermodynamic parameters for the hydration reaction to conclusively determine the changes in the electrochemical performances depending on LnBa_(0.5)Sr_(0.5)Co_(1.5)Fe_(0.5)O_(5+δ)(LnBSCF,Ln=Pr, Nd, and Gd) cathodes. At 500 ℃, the quantitative proton concentration of PrBSCF was 2.04 mol% and progressively decreased as the Ln cation size decreased. Similarly, the Gibbs free energy indicated that less energy was required for the formation of protonic defects in the order of Pr BSCF < Nd BSCF < Gd BSCF. To elucidate the close relationship between hydration properties and electrochemical performances in LnBSCF cathodes, PCFC single cell measurements and analysis of the distribution of relaxation time were further investigated.

Challenges and opportunities for using formate to store, transport, and use hydrogen

In this perspective article,the synthesis and thermodynamic properties of aqueous solutions of formate salts(FS,HCO2-)are described in relationship to the concept of H2carriers.The physiochemical properties of solid FS,aqueous formate solutions,and aqueous bicarbonate solutions set the limitations for storage capacity,deliverable capacity,and usable H2capacity of these H2carriers,respectively.These parameters will help in the design of systems that use H2carriers for storage and transport of H2for fuel cell power applications.FS,as well as admixtures with formic acid(FA,H2CO2),have potential to address the goals outlined in the U.S.Department of Energy’s H2@scale initiative to store in chemical bonds a significant quantity of energy(hundreds of megawatts)obtained from large scale renewable resources.

A study on hydrogen uptake and release of a eutectic mixture of biphenyl and diphenyl ether

Hydrogen storage in Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier(LOHC)systems is appealing for the safe storage and distribution of excess renewable energy via existing gasoline infrastructures to end-users.We present the eutectic mixture of biphenyl and diphenyl ether of its first use as a LOHC material.The material is hydrogenated with 99%selectivity without the cleavage of C–O bond,with commercial heterogeneous catalysts,which is confirmed by nuclear magnetic spectroscopy and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.Equilibrium concentration,dehydrogenation enthalpy,and thermo-neutral temperature are calculated using a density functional theory.The results indicate that O-atom-containing material exhibits more favorable dehydrogenation thermodynamics than that of the hydrocarbon analogue.The H2-rich material contains6.8 wt%of gravimetric hydrogen storage capacity.A preliminary study of catalytic dehydrogenation on a continuous reactor is presented to demonstrate a reversibility of this material.

Ex situ aging effect on sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) membrane:Hydration-dehydration cycling and hydrothermal treatment

Prolonged hydrothermal treatment for sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) membranes induces mechanical degradation and developing hydrophilic-hydrophobic phase separation, simultaneously. The enhanced phase separation provides incremental proton conductivity to the membranes, whereas mechanical degradation drastically reduces device stability. On this basis, we describe here the effects of two different ex situ aging processes on sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) membranes: hydrationdehydration cycling and prolonged hydrothermal treatment. Both aged membranes exhibited enhanced phase separation under the hydrated conditions, as characterized by small angle X-ray scattering.However, when the aged membranes were dried again, the nanostructure of the membranes aged via the hydration-dehydration cycling was recoverable, whereas that of the membranes aged via prolonged hydrothermal treatment was irreversible. Furthermore, the two differently aged membranes showed clear differences in thermal, mechanical, and electrochemical properties. Finally, we implemented both aged membranes in fuel cell application. The sample aged via hydration-dehydration cycling maintained its improved cell performance, whereas the sample aged via hydrothermal treatment showed drastically reduced cell performance after durability test for 50 h.