Design of next-generation ceramic fuel cells and real-time characterization with synchrotron X-ray diffraction computed tomography

Tao Li, Thomas M. M. Heenan, Mohamad F. Rabuni, Bo Wang, Nicholas M. Farandos, Geoff H. Kelsall, Dorota Matras, Chun Tan, Xuekun Lu, Simon D. M. Jacques, Dan J. L. Brett, Paul R. Shearing, Marco Michiel, Andrew M. Beale, Antonis Vamvakeros () and Kang Li ()
Additional contact information
Tao Li: Imperial College London
Thomas M. M. Heenan: UCL
Mohamad F. Rabuni: Imperial College London
Bo Wang: Imperial College London
Nicholas M. Farandos: Imperial College London
Geoff H. Kelsall: Imperial College London
Dorota Matras: Research Complex at Harwell, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus
Chun Tan: UCL
Xuekun Lu: UCL
Simon D. M. Jacques: Finden Limited, Merchant House
Dan J. L. Brett: UCL
Paul R. Shearing: UCL
Marco Michiel: ESRF – The European Synchrotron
Andrew M. Beale: Research Complex at Harwell, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus
Antonis Vamvakeros: Finden Limited, Merchant House
Kang Li: Imperial College London

Nature Communications, 2019, vol. 10, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract Ceramic fuel cells offer a clean and efficient means of producing electricity through a variety of fuels. However, miniaturization of cell dimensions for portable device application remains a challenge, as volumetric power densities generated by readily-available planar/tubular ceramic cells are limited. Here, we demonstrate a concept of ‘micro-monolithic’ ceramic cell design. The mechanical robustness and structural integrity of this design is thoroughly investigated with real-time, synchrotron X-ray diffraction computed tomography, suggesting excellent thermal cycling stability. The successful miniaturization results in an exceptional power density of 1.27 W cm−2 at 800 °C, which is among the highest reported. This holistic design incorporates both mechanical integrity and electrochemical performance, leading to mechanical property enhancement and representing an important step toward commercial development of portable ceramic devices with high volumetric power (>10 W cm−3), fast thermal cycling and marked mechanical reliability.

Date: 2019
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-09427-z

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