Development of novel oxygen ion and electron conducting ceramic cathodes for solid oxide fuel cells

This PhD project will develop, synthesise, and characterise novel mixed ion-electron conducting (MIEC) materials to be used as cathodes in SOFCs. The project will investigate how the manipulation of perovskite crystal structures into double perovskites (DP) and Ruddlesden-Popper series (R-P), and organising these series into hollow sphere grains, effects the activity of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR).

The manipulation of the crystal structure will facilitate better oxygen ion and electronic conduction along a unique fast migration crystallographic plane, due to the ordering of oxygen vacancies along this crystallographic plane. The hollow sphere grains will increase the ORR rate and efficiency when compared with bulk materials, due to lower area specific resistance (ASR), increased surface area of the triple phase boundary (TPB), and higher fuel gas availability.