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  • In situ EIS-TEM characterization of electrospun nanofibers for solid oxide electrolysis cells

    • In situ EIS-TEM characterization of electrospun nanofibers for solid oxide electrolysis cells

    Abstract number
    125
    Presentation Form
    Submitted Talk
    DOI
    10.22443/rms.mmc2021.125
    Corresponding Email
    [email protected]
    Session
    Stream 1: EMAG - Energy and Energy Storage Materials
    Authors
    Waynah Lou Dacayan (1), Christodoulos Chatzichristodoulou (1), Wenjing Zhang (2), Kristian Mølhave (3), Iram Aziz (2), Søren Bredmose Simonsen (1)
    Affiliations
    1. DTU Energy
    2. DTU Environment
    3. DTU Nanolab
    Keywords

    electrochemistry, solid oxide electrolysis cell, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, electrospun fibers

    Abstract text

    An in situ method allowing simultaneous structural and electrochemical investigation of solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) nanofiber materials is developed for the latter’s thorough characterization. The method integrates electrochemical measurements, including Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), to Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM).

    To achieve a stable supply of electricity from renewable sources, i.e. from solar and wind power, it is necessary to be able to store excess electricity for later use1,2. Through electrolysis, SOEC converts electrical energy to chemical energy that is suitable for storage, with high conversion efficiency. However, normally operated and most efficient at high temperature (800-1000°C)3-7, SOEC materials are prone to severe degradation which limits its use in the commercial scale. It is therefore important to improve the structural performance of the materials without sacrificing its good electrochemical response. This can only become possible if a full characterization of the materials can be acquired in its active state.

    In this study, the SOEC nanofiber materials will be prepared through combining sol-gel synthesis and electrospinning. Based on our previous work and literatures, such ceramic nanofiber structure is capable to provide continuous ion conducting path, facilitate mass transports and enlarge triple phase boundaries (TPBs)8-10.

    Using a MEMS based heating and biasing holder, the electrochemical and structural analysis of the materials will be done simultaneously inside an Environmental TEM. For the electrochemical analysis, I-V curves will be acquired in addition to EIS. During characterization, the materials will be exposed to high temperature, electrical potential, and reactive gases to simulate actual operating conditions.

    The study will show the structural changes in the material as a function of temperature and time through TEM images. The associated I-V curves and EIS data will be presented, as well as the corresponding real time changes in conductivity as determined from the latter. These results will be correlated to show a complete picture of the materials’ response in an operating environment. The progress towards these goals will be reported.

    References

    [1] Laguna-Bercero M.A. Recent advances in high temperature electrolysis using solid oxide fuel cells: A review. Journal of Power Sources 203 (2012) 4-16. 

    [2] Ebbesen S.D., Jensen S.H., Hauch A., and Mogensen M.B. High Temperature Electrolysis in Alkaline Cells, Solid Proton Conducting Cells, and Solid Oxide Cells. American Chemical Society (2014) 114, 10697-10734. 

    [3] Elder R., Cumming D., and Mogensen M.B. High Temperature Electrolysis in Carbon Dioxide Utilisation: Closing the Carbon Cycle (2015) Chapter 11, pp. 183-209. 

    [4] Zhang X., Song Y., Wang G., and Bao X. Co-electrolysis of CO2 and H2O in high-temperature solid oxide electrolysis cells: Recent advance in cathodes. Journal of Energy Chemistry 26 (2017) 839-853. 

    [5] Yoon K.J., Son J.W., Lee J.H., Kim B.K., Je H.J., and Lee H.W. Performance and Stability of High Temperature Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells (SOECs) for Hydrogen Production. ECS Transactions, 57 (1) 3099-3104 (2013). The Electrochemical Society. 

    [6] Dönitz W. and Erdle E. High-Temperature Electrolysis of Water Vapor – Status of Development and Perspectives for Application. Int. J. Hydrogen Energy, Vol. 10, No. 5, pp. 291-295 (1985). 

    [7] Hauch A., Jensen S.H., Ramousse S., and Mogensen M. Performance and Durability of Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells. Journal of the Electrochemical Society, 153 (9) A1741-A1747 (2006). 

    [8] Simonsen S.B., Shao J., and Zhang, W. Structural evolution during calcination and sintering of a (La0.6Sr0.4)0.99CoO3-δ nanofiber prepared by electrospinning. Nanotechnology, Vol. 28, No. 26 (2017).

    [9] Ahn M., Seungwoo H., Lee J., and Lee W. Electrospun composite nanofibers for intermediate-temperature solid oxide T fuel cell electrodes. Ceramics International, Vol. 46, pp. 6006–6011 (2020).

    [10] Parbey J., Xu M., Lei J., Espinoza-Andaluz M., Li T.S., and Andersson M. Electrospun fabrication of nanofibers as high-performance cathodes of solid oxide fuel cells. Ceramics International, Vol. 46, Issue 5, pp. 6969-6972 (2020).

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