Next generation fuel cell materials

Small fuel cell systems in the 1-100 kW power range have become the focus of intense research and development. Among the potential applications for fuel cells in this power range are propulsion for passenger and light-duty vehicles (50-100 kW), auxiliary power for trucks, automobiles and recreational vehicles (2-10 kW), and portable power generation for residential and recreational needs (3-5 kW). The requirements on these fuel cells include low weight, compact design and low cost.

Due to its very high energy density, the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) may fulfil these requirements. There is one major disadvantage with such systems: the operating temperature is usually 750 °C or above. To make small and compact fuel cells and to lower the cost, this temperature must be reduced. Protonic ceramic fuel cells (PCFC) with proton-conducting electrolytes have the potential to become the “low-temperature solution” due to the high ionic conductivity of such electrolytes at lower temperatures (400-600 °C).

In nextgenFCmat, we will focus on electrolytes and cathodes for PCFC, and the interface between the electrolyte and the cathode. Thin films will be deposited by genuine thin film techniques such as chemical solution deposition and pulsed laser deposition that enable us to reduce the thickness of the individual layers and to reduce the sintering temperature.