WEBINAR SERIES "MATERIALS MATTER"
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February 19, 2025
TYPE OF EVENT: Webinar
Dr Massimo Viviani, CNR-ICMATE Genova
Introduction to the Projects: High-temperature co-electrolysis at ICMATE
Dr Sara Massardo, CNR-ICMATE Genova
Overcoming challenges in solid oxides cells electrodes: stability and sustainability in perovskites
The development of novel materials to enhance the performance of solid oxide fuel and electrolysis cells is a prominent focus in materials science research. Perovskite oxides have shown significant potential, due to their mixed ionic-electronic conduction (MIEC) properties, making them suitable electrodes for solid oxide cells. The Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3-δ (BSCF) perovskite is a promising air-electrode exhibiting excellent oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalytic activity and good MIEC properties. Unfortunately, this material suffers from long-term stability issues, and it contains cobalt (Co), a toxic element with well-known supply issues. To advance research on this material, our group focused its efforts on two main approaches:
Enhancing the stability of BSCF by incorporating Y3+ into its structure, which is reported to have a stabilizing effect.
Developing a Co-free electrode derived from BSCF, by replacing Co with an optimized amount of Cu, while also stabilizing its structure with Y3+.
The results from various structural and electrochemical characterizations of the obtained systems will be presented during the lecture.
Dr Mario Italo Trioni, CNR-SCITEC Milano
H2O and CO2 interaction with perovskitic (110) surface: the case of SrFeO3
Understanding the reaction mechanisms and improving the reaction kinetics at the solid-gas interfaces of solid oxide cell electrodes have the potential to lower operational temperatures, thus hindering parasitic reactions that limit their stability and lifecycle, and expanding the range of materials that can be used in the cells. In general, reaction kinetics are influenced by thermodynamic quantities such as gas partial pressure and temperature, but they also strongly depend on the nature and availability of active sites. Electrode reactions further require charge transfer between adsorbed species and the solid electrode, meaning that the applied electric potential is another factor influencing overall kinetics. A detailed understanding of the oxide structure—especially of point defects, which may act as active sites at the solid-gas interface—and the adsorption energetics of reaction intermediates are essential for modeling electrode reactions and optimizing materials. This work presents first-principles results on the interaction of H₂O and CO₂ with the SrFeO₃(110) surface.
LOCATION AND DATE: streaming,19/02/2025 at 03.00 p.m
REGISTRATIN LINK: teams.microsoft.com/registration
DOWNLOAD: Flyer
For further information
Dr. Massimo Viviani
Dr. Sara Massardo