IDEAL Cell: Work Package 3 "Proton Electrode Assembly Development"
Objectives
Fabrication of an optimized PCFC compartment.
Description of work
Task 3.1: Powders synthesis and conditioning, scaling-up study (Partner 1, Partner 6)
The goal of this task is the fabrication of:
- Standard BCY15 powder for the proof of concept;
- Advanced material powders for the optimization of the dual cell (Ba-deficient BCY15, doped BCY15, with appropriate size, morphology, doping, conditioning).
This task comprises all the relevant necessary powder characterization techniques, including TEM, differential thermal analysis and others. Co-precipitation synthesis route is followed.
T3.2: Evaluation of the appropriate forming processes and sintering (Partner 1, Partner 8)
In this task, we focus on determining the experimental procedures for:
- Tape casting of components BCY15 and BCY15/NiO (slurries composition, volume fraction of pore former for electrode, drying conditions, type of solvent…);
- Serigraphy (preparation of inks on the basis of BCY15 and BCY15/NiO, composition, drying, rheological tests).
Reactivity between adjacent materials will be investigated. Sintered tape-cast and screen-printed layers will be characterized by the appropriate analytical techniques (SEM, EDS, WDS, TEM).
T3.3: Fabrication of BCY15-Ni/BCY15/BCY15-Ni symmetrical cell (Partner 1, Partner 8)
The task is dedicated to the fabrication of samples for evaluation of the anode material quality (Task 5.5) when different processes are used, in view of the dual cell fabrication. The fabrication of symmetrical cells anode/electrolyte with dense electrolyte via tape-casting and screen-printing is undertaken.
T3.4: Fabrication of BCY15-Ni/BCY15/porous BCY15/BCY15-Ni pseudo-symmetrical cell (Partner 1, Partner 8)
The fabrication of “pseudo-symmetrical” cells anode/electrolyte/porous electrolyte/anode by different processes (tape-casting and screen-printing) is undertaken for evaluation of the porous hydrogen electrolyte properties (Task 3.5) in view of the central membrane fabrication.
T3.5: Testing of BCY15-Ni/BCY15/BCY15-Ni and of BCY15-Ni/BCY15/porous BCY15/BCY15-Ni multilayers (Partner 5)
EIS measurements will be performed on standard symmetrical-cells, including half cells with dual structure of the hydrogen electrolyte, corresponding to the PCFC compartment for general characterization, as well as on symmetrical-cells with modified configuration and variety of the testing conditions – geometry, thickness, temperature range, gas flows, pressure etc. Selected EIS measurements will be analyzed by Differential Impedance Analysis with the aim to obtain information about the main steps, which determine the electrochemical processes. The characterization and interpretation of the rate-limiting step will be used as an information source for the optimization of the assembly.
T3.6: Optimization of the assembly (anode) (Partner 1)
This task focuses on the optimization of the anode/electrolyte assembly, in view of WP4 and WP5, through a thorough examination of the different assembly microstructures. Special attention will be paid on the composite nature of the BCY15/Ni anode. Its morphology will be modelled. Percolation theory coupled with random sets approach and FD will be applied to identify the best possible microstructure for the anode. Results from numerical simulation will be used to adjust the forming process parameters and sintering treatment for fine-tuning the anode morphology and the quality of the interface between anode and electrolyte.
Deliverables
- D3.1 Technical report on the cathode/electrolyte couple (Year 2).
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