DEVELOPMENT OF ELECTRODE MATERIALS FOR FUEL CELL USING PULSED LASER DEPOSITION

Abstract

The prevailing energy crisis in the world has to be tackled by employing sustainable energy sources. In recent years, research has been conducted on solid state ionic devices such as fuel cells, lithium ion batteries and solar cells which could be the future alternate energy storage and conversion technologies with no environmental issues. It has been observed that solid oxide fuel cells SOFCs with electrodes layers on electrolyte using Pulsed Laser Deposition PLD as compared to other fuel cells yield better results i.e. they can operate at intermediate temperature have high conductivity and enhanced power density. This thesis gives an approach to develop nanocomposite electrode materials for SOFCs to lower the operating temperature of SOFC. Lithium Nickel Copper Oxide (LNC), Lithium Nickel Copper zinc Oxide (LNCZ) and Samarium doped Ceria (SDC) nanocomposite have been synthesized using solid state reaction method and wet chemical method. The structure and morphology of nanocomposite electrode was examined by X-Rays Diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) is used to examine the roughness and surface morphology of pulsed laser deposited film. The fuel Cell Performance was tested at temperature (550-7000 C). The Conductivity of the sintered nanocomposite measured by a two probe DC method. XRD pattern of the samples show that the materials are nanostructures. SEM images expose the morphology of materials which are homogenous and porous. Electrochemical study of synthesized fuel cell shows a mixed conductivity of 1.3 Scm-1 at 6500C. The electrochemical Performance of LNC/SDC/LNC configuration was measured with OCV 0.80V, Current density 400 mAcm-2 and power density 108 mW/cm2 with hydrogen fuel at 6500C. Whereas OCV 0.80V, Current density 408mAcm-2 and power density 118 mW/cm2 were observed at 6500C for LNCZ/SDC/LNCZ configuration using hydrogen as fuel and air as reduction agent at cathode terminal.