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

Journal Article · Thu Sep 15 00:00:00 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, Vol. 184, Issue 9; Other Information: DOI: 10.1016/j.jssc.2011.07.021; PII: S0022-4596(11)00399-9; Copyright (c) 2011 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; ISSN 0022-4596
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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