S. Balomenou

Triode Fuel Cells and Batteries

A new device and method is described for enhancing the power output and thermodynamic efficiency of batteries and fuel cells. In addition to the anode and cathode, the new device introduces a third electrode together with an auxiliary circuit which is run in the electrolytic mode and permits battery or fuel cell operation under previously inaccessible anode-cathode potential differences. The new device and method introduces a new controllable variable in fuel cell and battery operation. It significantly reduces overpotential and causes up to 700% enhancement in solid oxide fuel cell power output and also an enhancement in overall thermodynamic efficiency.

Ternary Pt-Ru-Ni catalytic layers for methanol electrooxidation prepared by electrodeposition and galvanic replacement.

Ternary Pt-Ru-Ni deposits on glassy carbon substrates, Pt-Ru(Ni)/GC, have been formed by initial electrodeposition of Ni layers onto glassy carbon electrodes, followed by their partial exchange for Pt and Ru, upon their immersion into equimolar solutions containing complex ions of the precious metals. The overall morphology and composition of the deposits has been studied by SEM microscopy and EDS spectroscopy. Continuous but nodular films have been confirmed, with a Pt ÷ Ru ÷ Ni % bulk atomic composition ratio of 37 ÷ 12 ÷ 51 (and for binary Pt-Ni control systems of 47 ÷ 53). Fine topographical details as well as film thickness have been directly recorded using AFM microscopy. The composition of the outer layers as well as the interactions of the three metals present have been studied by XPS spectroscopy and a Pt ÷ Ru ÷ Ni % surface atomic composition ratio of 61 ÷ 12 ÷ 27 (and for binary Pt-Ni control systems of 85 ÷ 15) has been found, indicating the enrichment of the outer layers in Pt; a shift of the Pt binding energy peaks to higher values was only observed in the presence of Ru and points to an electronic effect of Ru on Pt. The surface electrochemistry of the thus prepared Pt-Ru(Ni)/GC and Pt(Ni)/GC electrodes in deaerated acid solutions (studied by cyclic voltammetry) proves the existence of a shell consisting exclusively of Pt-Ru or Pt. The activity of the Pt-Ru(Ni) deposits toward methanol oxidation (studied by slow potential sweep voltammetry) is higher from that of the Pt(Ni) deposit and of pure Pt; this enhancement is attributed both to the well-known Ru synergistic effect due to the presence of its oxides but also (based on the XPS findings) to a modification effect of Pt electronic properties.

Insights into the Surface Reactivity of Cermet and Perovskite Electrodes in Oxidizing, Reducing, and Humid Environments

Understanding the surface chemistry of electrode materials under gas environments is important in order to control their performance during electrochemical and catalytic applications. This work compares the surface reactivity of Ni/YSZ and La0.75Sr0.25Cr0.9Fe0.1O3, which are commonly used types of electrodes in solid oxide electrochemical devices. In situ synchrotron-based near-ambient pressure photoemission and absorption spectroscopy experiments, assisted by theoretical spectral simulations and combined with microscopy and electrochemical measurements, are used to monitor the effect of the gas atmosphere on the chemical state, the morphology, and the electrical conductivity of the electrodes. It is shown that the surface of both electrode types readjusts fast to the reactive gas atmosphere and their surface composition is notably modified. In the case of Ni/YSZ, this is followed by evident changes in the oxidation state of nickel, while for La0.75Sr0.25Cr0.9Fe0.1O3, a fine adjustment of the Cr valence and strong Sr segregation is observed. An important difference between the two electrodes is their capacity to maintain adsorbed hydroxyl groups on their surface, which is expected to be critical for the electrocatalytic properties of the materials. The insight gained from the surface analysis may serve as a paradigm for understanding the effect of the gas environment on the electrochemical performance and the electrical conductivity of the electrodes.

Enhanced Carbon Deposition Tolerance of SOFC Anodes Under Triode Operation

The triode fuel cell design and operation concept was applied as an alternative means for controlling and enhancing the carbon tolerance of state-of-the-art solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) anodes. The triode cell configuration entails the introduction of a third electrode in addition to the anode and cathode, driven by an auxiliary circuit which is run in electrolytic mode. In this way the cell is forced to operate at controlled potential differences that are inaccessible under standard operation, and thus introduces a controllable variable into fuel cell operation. In the present study, the effectiveness of the triode approach was evaluated for the in situ control of the rate of carbon deposition in commercial multilayer NiO–GDC and NiO–YSZ SOFC anodes. The study involved typical and triode operation of SOFC button cells under CH4 steam reforming conditions, and it was found that the application of a small electrolytic current under triode operation resulted in significantly less carbon built-up on the anode compared to the standard SOFC operation.

Electrochemical Promotion of Ir0.5Pt0.5O2/YSZ

A high surface area, nanostructured bimetallic oxide catalyst, Ir0.5Pt0.5O2, deposited on YSZ was studied for the electrochemical promotion of ethylene oxidation. The catalyst was synthesized using the modified Adams fusion method and was characterized regarding its structure, morphology and specific surface area via XPS, XRD, HRTEM, SEM and BET. Regarding the performance for electrochemical promotion, it was found that the rate of ethylene oxidation can be enhanced significantly and in a strongly non-faradaic manner via positive potential application, exhibiting strongly electrophobic behaviour.

Electrochemical Promotion of Ir0.5

A high surface area, nanostructured bimetallic oxide catalyst, Ir0.5Pt0.5O2, deposited on YSZ was studied for the electrochemical promotion of ethylene oxidation. The catalyst was synthesized using the modified Adams fusion method and was characterized regarding its structure, morphology and specific surface area via XPS, XRD, HRTEM, SEM and BET. Regarding the performance for electrochemical promotion, it was found that the rate of ethylene oxidation can be enhanced significantly and in a strongly non-faradaic manner via positive potential application, exhibiting strongly electrophobic behaviour.

Electrochemical Promotion of Ir 0.5 Pt 0.5 O 2 /YSZ

A high surface area, nanostructured bimetallic oxide catalyst, Ir0.5Pt0.5O2, deposited on YSZ was studied for the electrochemical promotion of ethylene oxidation. The catalyst was synthesized using the modified Adams fusion method and was characterized regarding its structure, morphology and specific surface area via XPS, XRD, HRTEM, SEM and BET. Regarding the performance for electrochemical promotion, it was found that the rate of ethylene oxidation can be enhanced significantly and in a strongly non-faradaic manner via positive potential application, exhibiting strongly electrophobic behaviour.