Examination of Interfacial Chemical Interactions for Chemically Binding Nickel Catalysts to Porous Stabilized Zirconia Scaffolds
EMSL Project ID
43791
Abstract
Electrodes for electro-chemical energy conversion based on catalyst coatings offer substantial potential for creating more effective anode and cathode structures whilst yielding an opportunity to utilize a standardized porous ceramic scaffold. Infiltrated anodes based on nickel metal can yield finer catalyst phase distribution at volumetric concentrations well below percolation for traditional cermets and also reduce the weight and thermal expansion contributions of the metal phase. The coarsening of nickel after high temperature thermal treatment poses substantial degradation to the deposited structure. To remedy this degradation, methods of anchoring the nickel metal to the yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) scaffold have been evaluated to stabilize fine scale electro-catalyst particles. Aluminum titanate was introduced into the porous YSZ anode scaffold to facilitate a step-wise chemical reaction to anchor the nickel metal catalyst to the stabilized zirconia scaffold as determined by x-ray diffraction (XRD). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations of thermally treated nickel infiltrated scaffolds indicated excellent preservation of the nickel network at 800 C for 72 hours. Electrochemical tests exhibited not only decreased degradation rates, but also increased initial performance levels due to the additive. Use of the transmission electron microscope (TEM) at the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL) will be used to evaluate the nano-scaled molecular interfaces and phases at the sub-micron anchoring sites. The results of the EMSL characterization will provide critical information in the formation and stability of the anchors such that this technology can be not only enhanced but replicated with other cermet materials used heavily in high temperature fuel cell, battery, reformation, and electrolysis materials.
Project Details
Project type
Limited Scope
Start Date
2011-02-14
End Date
2011-04-04
Status
Closed
Released Data Link
Team
Principal Investigator
Team Members
Related Publications
Law, Cameron Hunter. Investigation of Chemical Anchoring of Nickel Catalyst Networks by Aluminum Titanate Additives. MS thesis. Montana State University, Bozeman, 2011. Print.