A new solid oxide fuel cell ceramic membrane features an ion conducting nanocomposite membrane with at least an order-of-magnitude higher ionic conductivity than the best currently available ceramic membranes. The nanostructured membrane utilizes the available high conductivity of candidate electrolytes (such as yttrium stabilized zirconia) and may be used to manufacture a low temperature solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). Nanomaterials for fuel cells is a worldwide research effort to find more efficient and durable materials.
UT-Battelle LLC (Oak Ridge, TN) scientists Michael Z. Hu and Igor Kosacki discovered that the ionic conductivity of solid electrolytes can be enhanced by the introduction of high density interfaces, which act as rapid diffusion paths for oxygen vacancies. Since the volume of the grain boundary phase depends upon the microstructure, it is possible to obtain a material whose electrical conductivity is controlled by interfaces.
In U.S. Patent 7,641,997, Hu and Kosacki detail an ion conducting nanocomposite membrane, including aligned nanophases (the "guest") confined inside a matrix layer (the "host") having ordered arrays of nanopore channels that are oriented perpendicular to the membrane surface, is provided. In one example embodiment of the invention, the nanocrystallization of yttrium stabilized zirconia (YSZ) inside an oriented mesoporous membrane layer of silica or alumina is achieved. (As used herein, "mesoporous" generally refers to materials pores range from between about 1 nanometer up to about 100 nanometers.)
In U.S. Patent 7,641,997, Hu and Kosacki detail an ion conducting nanocomposite membrane, including aligned nanophases (the "guest") confined inside a matrix layer (the "host") having ordered arrays of nanopore channels that are oriented perpendicular to the membrane surface, is provided. In one example embodiment of the invention, the nanocrystallization of yttrium stabilized zirconia (YSZ) inside an oriented mesoporous membrane layer of silica or alumina is achieved. (As used herein, "mesoporous" generally refers to materials pores range from between about 1 nanometer up to about 100 nanometers.)
The nanostructured membrane useful in sensor arrays, catalysis, magnetic memory arrays, quantum-dot arrays, photonic crystals, microfabricated fluidic devices, microelectro-mechanical systems, solar cells, selective liquid separation, or gas separation.
