Research and development of selective materials for the separation of carbon dioxide and for fuel cells

Abstract

Project 1CO2 selective separation membranes based on composites including oxide-ion conducting ceramics (SDC - samaria-doped ceria) and carbonate-ion conducting phases will be developed. Fine-tuned compositions and microstructures should provide the optimization of the rate determining oxide-ion conductivity. Subsequently, new generation membranes including mixed oxide-ion/electronic conduction will be produced to promote the delocalization of internal oxide-ion transport pathways and surface reactions. Exploitation of various environmental conditions is expected to clarify the correlations between composition, microstructure, mixed ionic conduction and membrane performance. Lithium fluoride will be used as sacrificial component for obtaining porous SDC. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy analyses will be carried out for structural observation.Project 2BaCe0.4Zr0.4Y0.1Gd0.1O3-d ceramics will be synthesized by the polymeric precursor technique. The ceramic powders will be analyzed by thermogravimetry, scanning differential calorimetry and X-ray diffraction. Sintered pellets will be analyzed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The expected results are the development of new ceramic compositions for application in high temperature operation electrochemical devices. (AU)