In-Situ Raman Characterization of SOFC Anodes
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In-Situ Raman Characterization of SOFC Anodes Robert C. Maher1, Gregory Offer2, Nigel P. Brandon2, Lesley F. Cohen1 1 Department of Physics, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London SW6 2AZ UK. 2 Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London SW6 2AZ, UK. ABSTRACT Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) have many advantages when compared to other fuel cell technologies, particularly for distributed stationary applications. As a consequence they are becoming ever more economically competitive with incumbent energy solutions. However, as with all technologies, improvements in durability, efficiency and cost is required before they become feasible alternatives. Such improvements are enabled through improved understanding of the critical material interactions occurring during operation. Raman spectroscopy is a noninvasive and non-destructive optical characterization tool which is ideally suited to the study of these critical chemical processes occurring within operational SOFCs. In this paper we will discuss advantages of using Raman characterization for understanding these important chemical processes occurring within SOFCs. We will present the specific examples of the type of measurement possible and discuss the direction of future research. INTRODUCTION Clean and efficient solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) have great potential as part of the global solution to future energy demand[1]. A primary advantage of the SOFCs is their ability to generate electrical and thermal energy efficiently using carbonaceous fuels such as natural gas without the need for expensive catalysts. As a result, SOFCs represent a possible bridge technology between the present hydrocarbon dominated energy economy and a future clean hydrogen energy economy. In order for SOFCs to fulfill this potential, improvement in durability, efficiency and ultimately cost is required to allow them to become competitive. Part of this is the drive towards intermediate temperature SOFCs (IT-SOFCs) operating at lower temperatures where material cost and stresses are greatly reduced[2]. The second part is the ongoing research efforts aimed at addressing specific degradation processes associated with SOFC operation. Two of the most significant problems associated with prolonged SOFCs operation on carbonaceous fuels are those of reduction/oxidation (redox) cycling[3] and carbon poisoning of the anode[4]. These processes lead to decreased efficiencies and lifetimes which ultimately increase the cost. The effects of these and other detrimental effects must be minimized in order to allow SOFCs to become fully competitive. A full scientific understanding of the processes involved is critical to achieve this. Details of these processes are limited by current indirect monitoring of fuel cell performance and ex-situ characterization techniques such as SEM. In-situ characterization tools which provide the detailed chemical information necessary to fully address such issues are required in order to drive our understanding further.
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