Innovative Semiconductor-Ionic Conductor (SIC) Revolutionizes Fuel Cell Performance
Key Ideas
- A research team developed a novel Semiconductor-Ionic Conductor (SIC) using Cu-Sm co-doping ceria for exceptional fuel cell performance.
- The co-doping of ceria with Samarium and Copper enhances ionic conductivity, achieving 0.16 S/cm at 520°C, surpassing traditional materials.
- Electron-Ion coupling and microstructural refinement in the electrolyte lead to improved charge transfer kinetics, long-term stability, and enhanced fuel cell efficiency.
- This breakthrough in electrolyte materials for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells establishes a pathway for high-efficiency, commercially competitive ceramic fuel cells.
A joint research team from Southeast University and Shenzhen University has developed a novel function of semiconductor-ionic conductor (SIC) using a Cu-Sm co-doping ceria (SCDC) to enhance ionic and electronic conductivity simultaneously, achieving superionic transport property and excellent fuel cell performance. The study challenges the limitations in ionic conductivity by co-doping ceria with Samarium and Copper, reaching an exceptional ionic conductivity of 0.16 S/cm at 520°C. The synergy between Sm3+ and Cu2+ drives electron-ion coupling, optimizing charge transfer and enhancing conduction efficiency. Structural refinement in the co-doped electrolyte leads to a denser grain network, improving ion mobility and long-term durability. This advancement in electrolyte materials for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells paves the way for high-efficiency, commercially competitive ceramic fuel cells. The research, recently published in Materials Futures, provides valuable insight into charge modulation and defect interactions, enhancing energy efficiency in electrochemical device design and manufacturing.