Rui Shi,Yan’an Li,Jiutao Gao,Ziyang Chen,Xin Zhang,Shanlin Zhang,Zaheer Ud Din Babar,Chengxin Li
This study focused on meeting the stringent stability requirements of tubular segmented-in-series solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) in reducing and oxidizing atmospheres. To address this challenge, a bi-layer perovskite ceramic interconnect was designed by controlling the oxygen partial pressure, because of the strong correlation between the conductivity of strontium-doped lanthanum titanate (LST) and the oxygen partial pressure. The LST powder was prepared using solid-phase and sol-gel methods, and their influence on particle size and sintering behavior was compared. LST/lanthanum strontium manganite (LSM) bi-layer ceramic interconnects with varying thicknesses were fabricated through screen printing and co-sintering. The results demonstrate favorable interfacial bonding and excellent chemical compatibility between the ceramic layers. The conductivity of the bi-layer interconnect exhibits a temperature-dependent behavior, peaking at 550 °C. Simulation calculations and research findings validate that the conductivity of the bi-layer interconnect is determined by the thickness of the LSM layer and the oxygen partial pressure at the interconnect interface. Optimal conductivity is achieved with a bi-layer interconnect consisting of approximately 15 μm of LST and 4 μm of LSM. This can be attributed to the efficient regulation of oxygen partial pressure at the interface, effectively mitigating LSM decomposition caused by low oxygen partial pressure and the subsequent reduction in conductivity. These results provide valuable fundamental data and methodology for the development of high-performance interconnects for tubular segmented-in-series SOFCs.
Chen Wu,Yuehua Wei,Qingwang Lian,Chao Cui,Weifeng Wei,Libao Chen,Chengchao Li
Enhancing the conductivity of electrode materials is critically important for improving the high-rate performance of Na-ion batteries (NIBs). Herein, we report a multifaceted strategy for optimizing the conductivity and electrochemical properties of nickel cobalt selenides via the combination of fine component regulation and C coating. The electrical conductivity of C@Ni0.33Co0.67Se2/C nanofiber (CNF) (Co0.67) hybrids achieved in this study was 0.3733 S mm−1, a conductivity five-fold higher than that of selenides with a Ni/Co ratio of 2 : 1. Coupled with desirable three-dimensional (3D) nanobrush morphology and the 1D conducting path of CNFs, the Co0.67 electrode achieved a superior rate performance of 413.1 mA h g−1, even at 2 A g−1. Furthermore, the Co0.67 electrode exhibited an impressive cycling performance of 499 mA h g−1 after 100 cycles (exhibiting an 89.5% capacity retention of the second cycle). Finally, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry analysis at different sweep rates were conducted to demonstrate the Co0.67 electrode's fast charge/ion transport ability and increased electrode kinetics.