High Performance Ceramic Interconnect Material for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs): Ca- and Transition Metal-doped Yttrium Chromite

Journal Article · Sat Oct 15 04:00:00 EDT 2011 · Journal of Power Sources, 196(20):8531-8538

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2011.06.089· OSTI ID:1024082

Yoon, Kyung J; Stevenson, Jeffry W; Marina, Olga A

The effect of transition metal substitution on thermal and electrical properties of Ca-doped yttrium chromite was investigated in relation to use as a ceramic interconnect in high temperature solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). 10 at% Co, 4 at% Ni, and 1 at% Cu substitution on B-site of 20 at% Ca-doped yttrium chromite led to a close match of thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) with that of 8 mol% yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), and a single phase Y0.8Ca0.2Cr0.85Co0.1Ni0.04Cu0.01O3 remained stable between 25 and 1100 degree C over a wide oxygen partial pressure range. Doping with Cu significantly facilitated densification of yttrium chromite. Ni dopant improved both electrical conductivity and dimensional stability in reducing environments, likely through diminishing the oxygen vacancy formation. Substitution with Co substantially enhanced electrical conductivity in oxidizing atmosphere, which was attributed to an increase in charge carrier density and hopping mobility. Electrical conductivity of Y0.8Ca0.2Cr0.85Co0.1Ni0.04Cu0.01O3 at 900 degree C is 57 S/cm in air and 11 S/cm in fuel (pO2=5×10^-17 atm) environments. Chemical compatibility of doped yttrium chromite with other cell components was verified at the processing temperatures. Based on the chemical and dimensional stability, sinterability, and thermal and electrical properties, Y0.8Ca0.2Cr0.85Co0.1Ni0.04Cu0.01O3 is suggested as a promising SOFC ceramic interconnect to potentially overcome technical limitations of conventional acceptor-doped lanthanum chromites.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 1024082
• Report Number(s): PNNL-SA-80273; AA2530000
• Journal Information: Journal of Power Sources, 196(20):8531-8538, Journal Name: Journal of Power Sources, 196(20):8531-8538 Journal Issue: 20 Vol. 196; ISSN JPSODZ; ISSN 0378-7753
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
AIR
CERAMICS
CHARGE CARRIERS
CHROMITES
CHROMIUM OXIDES
COMPATIBILITY
Chemical expansion
Doped yttrium chromite
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
Electrical conductivity
LANTHANUM OXIDES
OXYGEN
PARTIAL PRESSURE
PERFORMANCE
PROCESSING
SOFC interconnect
SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELLS
STABILITY
Sintering
THERMAL EXPANSION
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
YTTRIUM