Development of Cathode Material for Ammonia Solid Oxide Fuel Cell and Fabrication of Full Cells

This sub-project (i.e., 1st sub-project) aims at the development of novel efficient cathodes used in theammonia-type solid oxide fuel cells (ammonia-SOFCs). Three items are focused in this work: (1)Optimizing the parameters for the combustion process to prepare the porous nano-size oxidessatisfactory for making cathodes; (2) Developing innovative processes via modified infiltration on thecathode skeleton, selected based on experiences, to enhance homogeneous wide-spread dispersion ofcatalyst on the cathodic sites near the cathode/electrolyte to enlarge the triple phase boundaries (TPBs)thus accelerating the speed of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR); (3) Investigating bettertransition-layers for the cathode/electrolyte interface to depict their excellent electric (ionic andelectronic) conductivity and best consistent of thermos-expansion coefficients. Initially, testingspecimens are prepared by using commercial anodes and electrolytes, then they will be replaced byoffering from the second sub-project which can supply. Devices of button cells and single cells will bemade and tested. The third sub-project will take care of the sealing of the cells and undergo the testunder elevated temperatures as well as pressurized conditions by the facility already established by Pr.Shy. Resulted from this integration, we expect to develop the technology for fabrication of flat-type(5x5 cm2) ammonia-SOFCs and to evaluate the feasibility for the conceptual design of a portable one.The principal investigator of each sub-project (1st Pr. Jing-Chie Lin, 2nd Pr. Chi-Shen Lee and 3rdShengyang Shy) has accumulated different experience in execution of SOFO-related projects supportedby the MOST. Pr. Lin’s expertise is electrochemical technology with good experience in fabrication ofelectrodes of oxygen-transport and proton-transport (O- and P-SOFCs). Pr. Lee majors in inorganicchemistry, especially the synthesis of ceramic oxides used in O-SOFCs. Pr. Shy is good at cell testing atelevated temperature and pressurized conditions. According to good experiences of technicalcooperation in the past study of traditional SOFCs, Pr. Lin and Pr. Lee are confident to succeed theirpreparation of qualified devices of button cells, flat single cells. In addition, Pr. Shy has set-up a facilityfor the test of SOFCs at elevated temperature under pressurize environment for several years. Thestrong integration will make sure the investigators’ confidence to reach the goals, includingtechnological development of ammonia-SOFCs, design of after burner combustor based on the testingdata, and accomplishment of a conceptual design for the portable ammonia-SOFCs. The advantagestaken to execute this project are as follows: an improvement in technological capability of powergeneration, energy-saving, assistance in clean coal and reducing carbon consumption, as well as a goodtraining for reversed professionals in energy field.