Using first principles simulations and the Monte Carlo method, the optimal structure of the triple-phase boundaries (TPB) of the Ni/Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia (YSZ) anode in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) is determined. Based on the new TPB microstructures we reveal different reaction pathways for H2 and CO oxidation. In contrast to what was believed in previous theoretical studies, we find tha...

The fabrication process of ceramic yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) and nickel oxide nanofibers by electrospinning is reported. The preparation of hollow YSZ nanofibers and aligned nanofiber arrays is also demonstrated. The influence of the process parameters of the electrospinning process, the physicochemical properties of the spinning solutions, and the thermal treatment procedure on spinnabi...

Mechanosynthesis of La1-xSrxMnO3 (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1) was carried out at room temperature from stoichiometric mixtures of La2O3, Mn2O3 and SrO, obtaining monophasic powders with the perovskite structure. Physical properties of these materials and their chemical compatibility with the electrolyte yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ), which depend strongly on the La/Sr ratio, were evaluated...

One of the most promising anode materials for solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC) application is the Sr-doped LaMnO3 (LSM) which is known to have a high electronic conductivity but low ionic conductivity. To increase the ionic conductivity or diffusion of ions through the anode, Yttria-stabilized Zirconia (YSZ), which has good ionic conductivity, is proposed to be combined with LSM to create a...

The aim of this project was to begin the development of a new three-dimensional materials fabrication capability, Additive Layer Manufacturing (ALM).[1, 2] This initial 6 months of support allowed us to assess the feasibility of printing high-quality ceramic layers. In particular, a process was developed for printing layers of Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia (YSZ). This required the development of s...

Tribological coatings of yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ), gold, diamond like carbon (DLC) and MoS2 were synthesized using magnetron assisted pulsed laser deposition (MSPLD). The coatings were synthesized in four-component and three-component combinations that included YSZ/Au/DLC/MoS2, YSZ/Au/MoS2, and YSZ/Au/DLC. A range of coating compositions was studied to explore coating optimization for l...

Composite electrodes of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) with La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 (LSM), La0.8Sr0.2FeO3 (LSF), and La0.8Sr0.2CoO3 (LSCo) were prepared and tested as solid oxide electrolyzer (SOE) anodes and solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) cathodes at 973 K, using cells with a YSZ electrolyte and a Co-ceria-YSZ counter electrode. The LSM-YSZ electrode was activated by cathodic polarization but the enhan...

SOFC solid electrolytes are known for their ionic conductivity characteristics, which increase with increasing operating temperature. Using COMSOL Multiphysics numerical simulation, analysis of power performance yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) and lithium sodium carbonate – gadolinium-doped ceria ({LiNa}2CO3-GDC) was conducted to determine the potential these in application SOFC. The YSZ diffe...

Yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) is the best known ceramic-oxide material employed as a component of either solid electrolyte or anode cermet material for intermediate solid oxide fuel cell (IT SOFC). The properties of traditionally produced (by mechanical mixing of oxides) Al2O3/3YSZ composite with the same composition materials obtained by citrate and impregnation methods and with properties ...

The electrical conductivity of dense and nanoporous zirconia-based thin fi lms is compared to results obtained on bulk yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) ceramics. Different thin fi lm preparation methods are used in order to vary grain size, grain shape, and porosity of the thin fi lms. In porous fi lms, a rather high conductivity is found at room temperature which decreases with increasing temp...