In Situ Transmission Electron Microscopy of Ionic Conductivity and Reaction Mechanisms in Ultrathin Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

• Published in: Microscopy and microanalysis Vol. 20; no. 6; pp. 1817 - 1825
• Main Authors: Tavabi, Amir H., Arai, Shigeo, Muto, Shunsuke, Tanji, Takayoshi, Dunin-Borkowski, Rafal E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, USA Cambridge University Press 01.12.2014; Oxford University Press
• Subjects: Alternative energy sources; Alternative technology; Cations; Conductivity; Electrodes; Electrolytes; Electrons; Fourier transforms; Fuel cells; Fuel technology; High temperature; Holography; Materials Applications; Redox reactions; Solid oxide fuel cells; Spectrum analysis; Temperature; Transmission electron microscopy; United States > US; Japan; electron energy-loss spectroscopy; electron holography; solid oxide fuel cells; gas–solid reactions; in situ TEM
• ISSN: 1431-9276; 1435-8115
• DOI: 10.1017/S143192761401349X

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are promising candidates for use in alternative energy technologies. A full understanding of the reaction mechanisms in these dynamic material systems is required to optimize device performance and overcome present limitations. Here, we show that in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) can be used to study redox reactions and ionic conductivity in SOFCs in a gas environment at elevated temperature. We examine model ultrathin half and complete cells in two environmental TEMs using off-axis electron holography and electron energy-loss spectroscopy. Our results from the model cells provide insight into the essential phenomena that are important for the operation of commercial devices. Changes in the activities of dopant cations in the solid electrolyte are detected during oxygen anion conduction, demonstrating the key role of dopants in electrolyte architecture in SOFCs.