A Novel Laser 3D Printing Method for the Advanced Manufacturing of Protonic Ceramics

Journal Article · Tue May 12 00:00:00 EDT 2020 · Membranes

DOI:https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes10050098· OSTI ID:1618166

Mu, Shenglong; Hong, Yuzhe; Huang, Hua; Ishii, Akihiro; Lei, Jincheng; Song, Yang; Li, Yanjun; Brinkman, Kyle S.; Peng, Fei; Xiao, Hai; Tong, Jianhua

Protonic ceramics (PCs) with high proton conductivity at intermediate temperatures (300–600 °C) have attracted many applications in energy conversion and storage devices such as PC fuel/electrolysis cells, PC membrane reactors, hydrogen pump, hydrogen or water-permeable membranes, and gas sensors. One of the essential steps for fulfilling the practical utilization of these intermediate-temperature PC energy devices is the successful development of advanced manufacturing methods for cost-effectively and rapidly fabricating them with high energy density and efficiency in a customized demand. In this work, we developed a new laser 3D printing (L3DP) technique by integrating digital microextrusion-based 3D printing and precise and rapid laser processing (sintering, drying, cutting, and polishing), which showed the capability of manufacturing PCs with desired complex geometries, crystal structures, and microstructures. The L3DP method allowed the fabrication of PC parts such as pellets, cylinders, cones, films, straight/lobed tubes with sealed endings, microchannel membranes, and half cells for assembling PC energy devices. The preliminary measurement of the L3DP electrolyte film showed a high proton conductivity of ≈7 × 10−3 S/cm. This L3DP technique not only demonstrated the potential to bring the PCs into practical use but also made it possible for the rapid direct digital manufacturing of ceramic-based devices.

• Research Organization: Clemson Univ., SC (United States); Clemson University, SC (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE; USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE); USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Office of Sustainable Transportation. Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technologies Office (HFTO); USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Office of Sustainable Transportation. Joint Office of Energy & Transportation (JOET)
• Grant/Contract Number: EE0008428
• OSTI ID: 1618166
• Alternate ID(s): OSTI ID: 1799499; OSTI ID: 2202860
• Journal Information: Membranes, Journal Name: Membranes Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 10; ISSN 2077-0375; ISSN MBSEB6
• Publisher: MDPI AG
• Country of Publication: Switzerland
• Language: English

Related Subjects

08 HYDROGEN
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
3D printing
42 ENGINEERING
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chemistry
Engineering
Materials Science
Polymer Science
fuel cells
laser processing
membrane reactors
protonic ceramics