Review and analysis of characterization methods and ionic conductivities for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (LT-SOFC)

• Published in: Journal of power sources Vol. 263; pp. 315 - 331
• Main Authors: Patakangas, Janne, Ma, Ying, Jing, Yifu, Lund, Peter
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.10.2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Carbonates; Cerium oxide; Conductivity; Constant current measurement; Constants; Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation; Doped ceria/carbonate electrolyte; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical power engineering; Electrochemical conversion: primary and secondary batteries, fuel cells; Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy; Electrolytes; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Exact sciences and technology; Fuel cells; Ionic conductivity; LT-SOFC; Product analysis; Production methods; Solid oxide fuel cells; Constant current measurement; Doped ceria/carbonate electrolyte; Ionic conductivity; Product analysis; LT-SOFC; Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy; Cerium Oxides; Electrical properties; Doped materials; Review; Cerium oxide; Solid oxide fuel cell; Characterization; Analysis method; Current measurement; Electrolyte; Analysis; Carbonates; Lanthanide Compounds; Electric current measurement; Low temperature
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2014.04.008

In recent years, doped ceria/carbonate composite is one of the most researched low-temperature SOFC electrolyte. Its ionic conductivity, which strongly influences the performance of the fuel cell, can be measured with several different methods including EIS, constant current and product analysis measurements. The conductivities of similar materials measured under similar conditions seem to vary quite much, which could be partly explained by the sample preparation affecting the properties of the electrolyte. However, we found that the used measurement approach may impose even a larger uncertainty. Therefore, results from different conductivity measurement techniques may not be comparable. In this article, conductivities of doped ceria/carbonate composites and measurement techniques employed in recent articles have been reviewed. Pros and cons of the different measurement methods are analyzed and discrepancies found in the measured conductivity values are explained. Finally, recommendations on conductivity measurements of LT-SOFC composite electrolytes are given. •Conductivities of doped ceria/carbonate composite electrolytes have been reviewed.•Special attention has been paid on the measurement methods.•Impedance, constant current and product analysis methods are presented and compared.•The results from the methods cannot be directly compared with each other.•Recommendations on conductivity measurements of composite electrolytes are given.