Materials For Fuel Cells

A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that converts the chemical energy of a reaction (between fuel and oxidant) directly into electricity. Given their efficiency and low emissions, fuel cells provide an important alternative to power produced from fossil fuels. A major challenge in their use is the need for better materials to make fuel cells cost-effective and more durable. This important book reviews developments in materials to fulfil the potential of fuel cells as a major power source. After introductory chapters on the key issues in fuel cell materials research, the book reviews the major types of fuel cell. These include alkaline fuel cells, polymer electrolyte fuel cells, direct methanol fuel cells, phosphoric acid fuel cells, molten carbonate fuel cells, solid oxide fuel cells and regenerative fuel cells. The book concludes with reviews of novel fuel cell materials, ways of analysing performance and issues affecting recyclability and life cycle assessment. With its distinguished editor and international team of contributors, Materials for fuel cells is a valuable reference for all those researching, manufacturing and using fuel cells in such areas as automotive engineering. Examines the key issues in fuel cell materials research Reviews the major types of fuel cells such as direct methanol and regenerative fuel cells Further chapters explore ways of analysing performance and issues affecting recyclability and life cycle assessment

This book discusses recent advances in intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs), focusing on material development and design, mechanism study, reaction kinetics and practical applications. It consists of five chapters presenting different types of reactions and materials employed in electrolytes, cathodes, anodes, interconnects and sealants for IT-SOFCs. It also includes two chapters highlighting new aspects of these solid oxide fuel cells and exploring their practical applications. This insightful and useful book appeals to a wide readership in various fields, including solid oxide fuel cells, electrochemistry, membranes and ceramics. Zongping Shao is a Professor at the State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering and the College of Energy, Nanjing University of Technology, China. Moses O. Tade is a Professor at the Department of Chemical Engineering, Curtin University, Australia.

This textbook covers essential electrochemistry and materials science content and provides an extensive collection of examples in order to bridge the gap between engineering students’ basic knowledge and the concrete skills they need to handle practical problems in fuel cells. The book starts with an introduction to the basic thermodynamics and electrochemistry principles and techniques in fuel cells. It subsequently discusses fuel cell operation principles, electrocatalysts, electrode materials, cell and system configuration and technologies in low-temperature fuel cells such as alkaline fuel cells and proton exchange membrane fuel cells, and in high-temperature fuel cells including solid oxide and molten carbonate fuel cells. Other energy conversion and storage technologies such as supercapacitors, batteries and electrolysis are also covered. A special chapter on laboratory experiments with fuel cells is also included, which can be conducted in conjunction with classroom teaching. Each chapter includes problems and exercises. The book provides students with an engineering background essential information on the basic thermodynamics, electrochemistry and materials of fuel cells, the most efficient and environmentally friend energy conversion technologies, all in a single book.

The First Book Centered on Materials Issues of SOFCs Although the high operating temperature of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) creates opportunities for using a variety of fuels, including low-grade hydrogen and those derived from biomass, it also produces difficulties in materials performance and often leads to materials degradation during operation. These obstacles have proven to be challenges in the path to greater commercialization. Focusing on materials-related issues, Solid Oxide Fuel Cells: Materials Properties and Performance provides state-of-the-art information for the selection and development of materials for improved SOFC performance. The Materials behind the Development of SOFCs Summarizing progress in the field thus far, the book describes current materials, future advances in materials, and significant technical problems that remain unresolved. The first three chapters explore materials for the electrochemical cell: electrolytes, anodes, and cathodes. The next two chapters discuss interconnects and sealants, which are two supporting components of the fuel cell stack. The final chapter addresses the various issues involved in materials processing for SOFC applications, such as the microstructure of the component layers and the processing methods used to fabricate the microstructure. An Important Enabling Technology for Future Sustainable Energy Systems This volume shows how the performance of SOFCs can be improved through novel materials and methods, thereby, bringing them closer to commercialization.

Ceramic fuel cells, commonly known as solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), have been under development for a broad range of electric power generation applications. The most attractive feature of the SOFC is its clean and efficient production of electricity from a variety of fuels. The SOFC has the potential to be manufactured and operated cost-effectively. The widening interest in this technology, thus, arises from the continuing need to develop cleaner and more efficient means of converting energy sources into useful forms. This topical book provides a comprehensive treatise on solid oxide fuel cells and succeeds successfully in filling the gap in the market for a reference book in this field. Directed towards scientists, engineers, and technical managers working with SOFCs as well as ceramic devices based on conducting materials, and in related fields, the book will also be invaluable as a textbook for science and engineering courses.

There are a large number of books available on fuel cells; however, the majority are on specific types of fuel cells such as solid oxide fuel cells, proton exchange membrane fuel cells, or on specific technical aspects of fuel cells, e.g., the system or stack engineering. Thus, there is a need for a book focused on materials requirements in fuel cells. Key Materials in Low-Temperature Fuel Cells is a concise source of the most important and key materials and catalysts in low-temperature fuel cells. A related book will cover key materials in high-temperature fuel cells. The two books form part of the "Materials for Sustainable Energy & Development" series. Key Materials in Low-Temperature Fuel Cells brings together world leaders and experts in this field and provides a lucid description of the materials assessment of fuel cell technologies. With an emphasis on the technical development and applications of key materials in low-temperature fuel cells, this text covers fundamental principles, advancement, challenges, and important current research themes. Topics covered include: proton exchange membrane fuel cells, direct methanol and ethanol fuel cells, microfluidic fuel cells, biofuel cells, alkaline membrane fuel cells, functionalized carbon nanotubes as catalyst supports, nanostructured Pt catalysts, non-PGM catalysts, membranes, and materials modeling. This book is an essential reference source for researchers, engineers and technicians in academia, research institutes and industry working in the fields of fuel cells, energy materials, electrochemistry and materials science and engineering.

The search for cleaner, cheaper, smaller and more efficient energy technologies has to a large extent been motivated by the development of new materials. The aim of this collection of articles is therefore to focus on what materials-based solutions can offer and show how the rationale design and improvement of their physical and chemical properties can lead to energy-production alternatives that have the potential to compete with existing technologies. In terms of alternative means to generate electricity that utilize renewable energy sources, the most dramatic breakthroughs for both mobile (i.e., transportation) and stationary applications are taking place in the fields of solar and fuel cells. And from an energy-storage perspective, exciting developments can be seen emerging from the fields of rechargeable batteries and hydrogen storage.

Computational studies on fuel cell-related issues are increasingly common. These studies range from engineering level models of fuel cell systems and stacks to molecular level, electronic structure calculations on the behavior of membranes and catalysts, and everything in between. This volume explores this range. It is appropriate to ask what, if anything, does this work tell us that we cannot deduce intuitively? Does the emperor have any clothes? In answering this question resolutely in the affirmative, I will also take the liberty to comment a bit on what makes the effort worthwhile to both the perpetrator(s) of the computational study (hereafter I will use the blanket terms modeler and model for both engineering and chemical physics contexts) and to the rest of the world. The requirements of utility are different in the two spheres. As with any activity, there is a range of quality of work within the modeling community. So what constitutes a useful model? What are the best practices, serving both the needs of the promulgator and consumer? Some of the key com- nents are covered below. First, let me provide a word on my ‘credentials’ for such commentary. I have participated in, and sometimes initiated, a c- tinuous series of such efforts devoted to studies of PEMFC components and cells over the past 17 years. All that participation was from the experim- tal, qualitative side of the effort.