Development of new energy conversion and storage materials containing oxyanion moieties
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Birmingham
Department Name: School of Chemistry
Abstract
The traditional approach to the manipulation of the structures and properties of materials has been to partially substitute the elements on one or more of the sites with similar sized elements which have different charges. Thus for example the conductivity of LaMnO3 (a solid oxide fuel cell material) is greatly improved by partial substitution of La (3+ charge) with Sr (2+ charge). Recent work in our group has however, shown that many of these materials will accommodate oxyanion groups (such as carbonate, sulfate, phosphate, silicate) with promising results shown. Thus silicon doping on the Mn site in SrMnO3 or CaMnO3 leads to a large improvement in conductivity, as well as a similar improvement in the performance as an electrode material in solid oxide fuel cells. The first aim of this project will be to extend these studies to other solid oxide fuel cell materials. Indeed there is growing evidence from our initial studies that materials with the perovskite structure show a propensity to accommodate carbonate groups. Such materials are widely utilised as solid oxide fuel cell cathodes. In such studies, research has shown that in addition to the bulk characteristics of the material, the microstructure is vitally important in ensuring optimum performance. This has led to considerable research into the design of nano-scale structures, utilising low temperature (e.g. sol-gel, combustion) synthesis techniques and carbon-based pore-formers. The fact that carbonate is readily accommodated in the perovskite structure raises important issues, that have been overlooked in previous studies by other groups:- in particular is the presence of carbonate leading to observed variations in performance, and so can we optimise the performance by controlling this aspect.
Following on from the results on solid oxide fuel cell materials, the possible manipulation of the structure and properties of Li/Na ion battery materials through oxyanion doping will be investigated. In this area, there has been considerable interest in materials containing oxyanion groups (e.g. LiFePO4) since such systems shown improved safety characteristics compared to simple oxide systems (e.g. LiCoO2). The approach here will be to investigate mixed oxyanion systems to control both the structure and performance, with the synthetic approaches developed for the fuel cell materials being extended to these battery materials in order to illustrate the diversity of this oxyanion doping approach. .
This research project falls within two of the key underpinning sectors of this EPSRC's energy research area, namely Materials for Energy Applications and Energy Storage. The information derived from this project will therefore make a key contribution to the UK's research standing in the energy area, while also providing a highly trained researcher for the UK energy industry.
Following on from the results on solid oxide fuel cell materials, the possible manipulation of the structure and properties of Li/Na ion battery materials through oxyanion doping will be investigated. In this area, there has been considerable interest in materials containing oxyanion groups (e.g. LiFePO4) since such systems shown improved safety characteristics compared to simple oxide systems (e.g. LiCoO2). The approach here will be to investigate mixed oxyanion systems to control both the structure and performance, with the synthetic approaches developed for the fuel cell materials being extended to these battery materials in order to illustrate the diversity of this oxyanion doping approach. .
This research project falls within two of the key underpinning sectors of this EPSRC's energy research area, namely Materials for Energy Applications and Energy Storage. The information derived from this project will therefore make a key contribution to the UK's research standing in the energy area, while also providing a highly trained researcher for the UK energy industry.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
Peter Slater (Primary Supervisor) | |
Abbey Jarvis (Student) |
Publications
McSloy A
(2018)
Mechanism of Carbon Dioxide and Water Incorporation in Ba 2 TiO 4 : A Joint Computational and Experimental Study
in The Journal of Physical Chemistry C
Jarvis A
(2019)
Introduction of Sulfate to Stabilize the n = 3 Ruddlesden-Popper System Sr 4 Fe 3 O 10-d , as a Potential SOFC Cathode
in ECS Transactions
Jarvis A
(2017)
Investigation into the Effect of Sulfate and Borate Incorporation on the Structure and Properties of SrFeO3-d
in Crystals
Jarvis A
(2020)
Synthesis and characterisation of Sr4Fe3-xCrxO10-d: Stabilisation of n=3 Ruddlesden-Popper phases through Cr doping
in Journal of Solid State Chemistry
Studentship Projects
Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
EP/N509590/1 | 30/09/2016 | 29/09/2021 | |||
1790616 | Studentship | EP/N509590/1 | 30/09/2016 | 29/09/2019 | Abbey Jarvis |
Description | This grant has enabled further investigation into oxyanion studies on solid oxide fuel cell materials. This work has shown further evidence that oxyanion groups (such as carbonate, sulfate, phosphate, silicate) can be incorpated into perovskite and perovskite type materials. In addition to characterisation of the materials further testing of materials has been carried out in order to investigate the use of these materials for use in solid oxide fuel cells. |
Exploitation Route | Further oxyanion doping studies can be carried out on perovskite type materials in order to optimise structure and performance. Futher testing of materials could be carried out in order to test sutability for solid oxide fuel cells. |
Sectors | Energy Environment |
Description | Community project at university green heart festival |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Stall set up on the university campus to discuss energy materials including demonstrations. This outreach event was aimed at the community to all ages. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Energy workshop year 10 students |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | A 45 minute workshop was held with 25 year 10 students from a local school with the Communications, Outreach and impact officer. The session involved practical work including potato batteries and fuel cells. This included discussions on applications of batteries and fuel cells and how they work. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | The Colourful Energy Scene Lecture for the RSC top of the bench competition |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | a talk on energy storage and conversion technologies was given to the RSC top of the bench competition participants |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | University open day |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Students between the ages of 16-18 attended open days with family members and friends. The activity including demonstrations of a range of materials chemistry including fuel cell cars. In addition to the demonstration, posters were included in the set up in order to explain the research carried out at the University of Birmingham and the applications of the research. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017,2018,2019 |