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With the material system operating at lower temperatures, protonic ceramic electrochemical cells (PCECs) can offer high energy efficiency and reliable performance for both power generation and hydrogen production, making them a promising technology for reversible energy cycling. However, PCEC faces technical challenges, particularly regarding electrode activity and durability under high current density operations. To address these challenges, we present a scalable nano-architecture ultra-porous oxygen electrode with triple conductivity, designed to enhance catalytic activity and interfacial stability through a self-assembly approach. Electrochemical cells incorporating this advanced electrode have demonstrated robust performance, achieving a peak power density of 1.50 W cm⁻² at 600 °C in fuel cell mode and a current density of 5.04 A cm^-2 at 1.60 V in electrolysis mode, with enhanced stability on transient operations and thermal cycles. The underlying mechanisms are closely related to the improved surface activity and mass transfer due to the dual features of the electrode structure. Additionally, the enhanced interfacial bonding between the oxygen electrode and electrolyte contributes to increased durability and thermomechanical integrity. This study underscores the critical importance of optimizing electrode microstructure to achieve a balance between surface activity and durability.

More online details will be updated soon!

The emerging applications of steam electrolysis and electrochemical synthesis at 300-600 ^oC set stringent requirements on the stability of protonic ceramic cells, which cannot be met by Ce-rich electrolytes. A promising candidate is Ce-free BaZr_0.8Y_0.2O_3−δ (BZY), yet its usage has long been denied due to sinterability conundrum in protonic devices. Here we resolved the issue by a renovated co-sintering process, in which the shrinkage stress of a readily sinterable support layer helps densify pure BZY electrolyte membrane at record low temperatures. It eliminates Ce and harmful sintering aids in zirconate cells and enhances Faraday efficiency and electrochemical stability, especially under harsh operation conditions. The protonic zirconate cells have exceptional performance and demonstrate stable high-steam-pressure electrolysis up to 0.7 atm steam pressure, −2 A cm⁻² current density, and over 800 hours of dynamic operation at 600 ^oC. Our processing breakthrough enables stabilized protonic cells in demanding applications in future energy infrastructure.

This work was completed by multiple institutions including Idaho National Laboratory, New Mexico State, OU, Georgia Tech, Tsinghua University, and MIT.

Online information will be updated soon once it is available.

Reducing the energy and carbon intensity of the conventional chemical processing industry can be achieved by electrochemically transforming natural gases into higher-value chemicals with higher efficiency and near-zero emissions.

In this work, the direct conversion of methane to aromatics and electricity has been achieved in a protonic ceramic electrocatalytic membrane reactor through the integration of a proton-conducting membrane assembly and a trimetallic Pt–Cu/Mo/ZSM-5 catalyst for the nonoxidative methane dehydro-aromatization reaction. In this integrated system, a remarkable 15.6% single-pass methane conversion with an 11.4% benzene yield has been demonstrated, while a peak power density of 276 mW cm^–2 is obtained at 700 °C. The enhanced 15.7% increase in conversion and 16.0% improvement in the yield are observed when compared with the thermochemical process, which is attributed to the shift of reaction equilibrium by the removal of hydrogen through the protonic membrane. Concurrently, the faster H₂ removal at a higher electrical current gave rise to a higher methane conversion and benzene yield. Furthermore, the catalyst can be efficiently regenerated by eliminating carbon deposition. A stable cell potential is maintained for 45 h under a constant current load of 0.13 A cm^–2. The dual production of aromatics and electricity in the electrocatalytic membrane reactor has been demonstrated to be an attractive approach for decarbonizing chemical processing.

Read full paper: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acsami.4c14627

Our new PhD students Anshu and Yuqi are joining us to pursue exciting research on energy conversion and storage. They will focus on developing advanced energy materials for solid oxide cells to achieve high-efficient and durable power generation and hydrogen production.

We recently published a paper in Nature Communications entitled with “Direct conversion of methane to aromatics and hydrogen via a heterogeneous trimetallic synergistic catalyst“. In this work, a new catalyst was developed to improve non-oxidative methane dehydrogenase-aromatization reaction kinetics for more efficiency methane conversion to aromatics with high selectivity. We worked together with George Mason University, Idaho National Laboratory, and Kansas State University to deliver this fantastic paper. If you are interested, please download to read via this link:

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-47595-9

https://www.ou.edu/news/articles/2024/may/new-study-finds-carbon-free-approach-for-methane-transformation

On March 13, 2024, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the selection of our project “Development of Readily Manufactured and Interface Engineered Proton-Conducting Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells with High Efficiency and Durability” for funding with $3.1 million, which will focus on interface engineering and optimization to improve proton-conducting solid oxide electrolyzer performance and durability. This effort builds off recent successful interfacial optimization work and incorporates additional activities focused on high-efficiency and long lifetime stacks designed for scalable manufacturing. We will work with Dr. Bilge Yildiz at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Dr. Chuancheng Duan at Kansas State University, and Chemtronergy LLC in Salt Lake City, to deliver the efficient and durable high-temperature electrolysis technology.

This announcement represents the first phase of implementation of two provisions of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which authorizes $1 billion for research, development, demonstration, and deployment (RDD&D) activities to reduce the cost of clean hydrogen produced via electrolysis and $500 million for research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) of improved processes and technologies for manufacturing and recycling clean hydrogen systems and materials. These projects will directly produce more than 1,500 new jobs, along with thousands of additional jobs indirectly generated through regional economic activity. Additionally, these projects will provide support to 32 disadvantaged communities.

Together with the Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs (H2Hubs), tax incentives in the President’s historic Inflation Reduction Act, and ongoing research, development, and demonstration in the DOE Hydrogen Program, these investments will help DOE achieve its ambitious Hydrogen Shot goal of reducing the cost of producing clean hydrogen to $1 per kilogram. These projects will also support the long-term viability of the H2Hubs and other emerging commercial-scale deployments by helping to solve the underlying technical barriers to cost reduction that can’t be overcome by scale alone.

For more details, please refer to this link: https://www.energy.gov/eere/fuelcells/bipartisan-infrastructure-law-clean-hydrogen-electrolysis-manufacturing-and-0

We have received a new project to work on developing highly conductive proton conducting electrolytes for solid oxide electrolysis cells.

Allison, a junior undergraduate student, will work in the lab to work on materials synthesis, cell fabrication and testing.

Saroj is starting his PhD program from Spring, 2024. He will work on experimental research on fuel cell and electrolyzer.

Dr. Ding attended the Hydrogen Americas Summit in Washington D.C. on October 2-3, 2023, to meet industrials and peers for discussing the future of hydrogen economy. Many exhibitors from U.S. and Europe met to demonstrate the technologies for hydrogen production, transport, and storage.