Two types of diffusions at the cathode/electrolyte interface in IT-SOFCs

Journal Article · Thu Sep 15 04:00:00 EDT 2011 · Journal of Solid State Chemistry

OSTI ID:21580234

Mori, Toshiyuki ^[1]; Auchterlonie, Graeme John ^[2]; Jin, Zou ^[2]; Drennan, John ^[2]

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1. Global Research Center for Environment and Energy based on Nanomaterials Science, National Institute for Materials Science, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0044 (Japan)
2. Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland 4072 (Australia)

Analytical transmission electron microscopy, in particular with the combination of energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS), has been performed to investigate the microstructure and microchemistry of the interfacial region between the cathode (La{sub 0.6}Sr{sub 0.4}Co{sub 0.8}Fe{sub 0.2}O{sub 3}, LSCF) and the electrolyte (Gd-doped ceria, GDC). Two types of diffusions, mutual diffusion between cathode and electrolyte as well as the diffusion along grain boundaries, have been clarified. These diffusions suggest that the chemical stability of LSCF and GDC are not as good as previously reported. The results are more noteworthy if we take into consideration the fact that such interdiffusions occur even during the sintering process of cell preparation. - Graphical Abstract: Two types of diffusions, the mutual diffusion and the diffusion along grain boundaries, occurred at the cathode/electrolyte interface of intermediate temperature solid state fuel cells, during cell preparation. The mutual diffusion is denoted by black arrows and the diffusion along grain boundaries assigned by pink arrows. Highlights: > All the cations in cathode (LSCF) and electrolyte (GDC) can mutually diffuse into each other. > Diffusing elements will segregate at grain boundaries or triple junctions around the cathode/electrolyte interface. > Two types of diffusions, the mutual diffusion and diffusion along grain boundaries, have been clarified thereafter.

• OSTI ID: 21580234
• Journal Information: Journal of Solid State Chemistry, Journal Name: Journal of Solid State Chemistry Journal Issue: 9 Vol. 184; ISSN 0022-4596; ISSN JSSCBI
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
CATHODES
DIFFUSION
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
DOPED MATERIALS
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELECTRODES
ELECTROLYTES
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
ELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY
ELECTRONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
ENERGY-LOSS SPECTROSCOPY
FERMIONS
FUEL CELLS
GRAIN BOUNDARIES
HIGH-TEMPERATURE FUEL CELLS
LEPTONS
MATERIALS
MICROSCOPY
MICROSTRUCTURE
SOLID ELECTROLYTE FUEL CELLS
SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELLS
SOLIDS
SPECTROSCOPY
STABILITY
TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
X-RAY SPECTROSCOPY