SEMINAR 

　　Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences  

　　　　中国科学院上海硅酸盐研究所 

　　Micro Solid Oxide Fuel Cells: From Thin Metaloxide Films to Devices 

　　　　Speaker：Prof. Dr. Ludwig J. Gauckler 

　　　　Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Switzerland 

　　　　时间：3月20日（周五）上午9:30 

　　地点：二号楼607会议室 

　　联系人：江东亮 院士，张景贤 研究员（52412167） 

　　In analogy to nanoelectronics, the term “nanoionics” was established in recent years for a new field of research where solid state materials are miniaturized to the nanoscale. The research offers new insight into fundamental issues of these materials and at the same time allows the realization of novel technical devices. In particular, self-sustaining structures are a benefit as well as low temperature applications of thermally activated processes. A prominent example in this respect is the miniaturization of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC). SOFC convert chemical energy directly into electrical energy and are usually operated at temperatures of 800-1000°C. At these high temperatures, the state-of-the-art self-sustaining several hundred micrometer thick SOFC electrolytes conduct oxygen ions which is a prerequisite for the operation of this type of fuel cell.  However, reducing electrolyte thickness by thin film deposition methods allows reducing the operating temperature down to 400- 550°C. This temperature reduction is possible by small thin film thicknesses, but also due to changes in microstructure and material properties of such thin films, such as nano-sized grains, impurity level, etc.   

　　In this presentation we discuss the preparation methods of nanoionic materials their process related microstructures and their properties. Main focus will be on zirconia and ceria based electrolytes, perovskite cathodes (such as La-Sr-Co-Fe oxides) and metal cermet anodes such as Ni-ceria. After having discussed these single thin film materials, we will report on multi-thin film membranes and their performance as micro-SOFC membrane. Finally, we will show how these membranes can be integrated into a device of a micro-SOFC system anticipated for replacing batteries in small portable electronic devices.