Designing new materials for next-generation solid oxide fuel cells – 4 year PhD

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are all-solid electrochemical devices that can convert chemical fuels directly into electricity. They represent a leading direction for future power generation as they offer both high energy conversion efficiency and great fuel flexibility (compatible with not only hydrogen but also existing fossil fuels). Despite the great potential as one of the most efficient and cleanest power generation technologies, to date commercialisation of SOFCs is still limited. Most commercial SOFCs need to be operated at high temperature (800-900 °C), which induce high costs and fast degradation of cell performance and make SOFCs commercially uncompetitive. Lowering operation temperature to 500-600 °C is crucial to bring widespread use of SOFCs into a reality. However, to date no SOFC electrode and electrolyte exhibit sufficient electrocatalytic activity and oxide ion conductivity to give desirable cell performance and stability at this temperature range. This project focuses on design and synthesis of new functional oxides with better intrinsic properties to enable building next-generation SOFCs with low operation temperature, high performance and long term stability.