日本九州大学成功研制中温固体氧化物燃料电池

Core Insights - Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) are gaining attention due to their high efficiency and long lifespan, but their typical operating temperature of 700-800°C requires expensive high-temperature materials, limiting widespread application [1] - A research team from Kyushu University in Japan has developed a new type of SOFC that can operate efficiently at a medium temperature of 300°C, potentially accelerating the development of low-cost, low-temperature SOFCs and their commercialization [1] Summary by Sections - SOFC Characteristics and Challenges - SOFCs use ceramics as electrolytes and are suitable for stationary power generation due to their high operating temperatures [1] - Lowering the operating temperature of ceramic electrolytes can reduce manufacturing and maintenance costs [1] - Research Findings - The study found that doping barium stannate and barium titanate with high concentrations of scandium can achieve a proton conductivity of over 0.01 S/cm at 300°C, comparable to traditional SOFC electrolytes at high temperatures [1][2] - Structural analysis and molecular dynamics simulations indicate that scandium atoms connect surrounding oxygen atoms into "ScO6 high-speed channels," allowing protons to pass through with low migration barriers [2] - Implications and Future Applications - This breakthrough addresses the long-standing challenge of balancing doping levels with ionic transport efficiency, providing a new pathway for developing low-cost, low-temperature SOFCs [2] - The principles discovered may also be applicable to low-temperature electrolyzers, hydrogen pumps, and reactors that convert carbon dioxide into valuable chemicals, potentially impacting hydrogen energy proliferation and carbon reduction efforts [2]