9.2 Fuel Cell Electrolytic Membranes
99
proton was depicted by maximum phosphoric acid-doped ZrP-polybenzimidazole
nanocomposite membrane. Nyquist plot analysis of membranes at varying temperatures revealed good agreement with Randel’s circuit. The study concluded that these
membranes are excellent choice for potential applications in high-temperature proton
exchange membrane fuel cells [21].
9.3 Fuel Cell Electrodes
The fuel electrodes have also been benefitted by nanotechnology. A wide variety of
fuel cells employ several kinds of electrodes for their operations. From the past several
years, the nanotechnology has infiltrated this area of sustainable energy production.
A dual function of energy generation and storage is performed by a type of fuel
cells, known as solid oxide regenerative fuel cells. They are capable of operating
at high temperatures with minimum effects on environment, and hence an appropriate choice for energy managing units. The ability of the electrodes used in these
fuel cells can be considerably enhanced by employing nanomaterials in place of
bulk size materials. However, the use of nanomaterials for the purpose is difficult
because of decrease in stability and control over the nanomaterial at elevated temperatures [22]. This problem has been addressed in a study. The study proposed the use
of wet chemical infiltration technology which permits high-level controllability of
nanoscale materials and their stability at high temperatures. In this study, researchers
fabricated Sm 0.5 Sr 0.5 CoO 3 nanocatalyst electrodes for potential use in solid oxide
regenerative fuel cells. The nanomaterials were fabricated via homogeneous precipitation. This was achieved by decomposition of urea in chemical solution, resulting
in improved crystallization along with the efficient redistribution of precursor. The
efficient precursor redistribution allows accurate adaptation of the phase purity and
geometric properties. By adjusting the prime features of the nanocatalysts, an electrode can be produced that is very near to the ideal electrode model. The prepared
electrodes were analyzed for their durability and performance in both electrolytic and
fuel cells. The study proposed the aforementioned technology as reliable and costeffective method for the production of high-temperature operating fuel cell electrodes
[23].
PrBaMn 2 O 5+δ is one of the excellent symmetrical solid oxide fuel cell electrode
forming substances. Yiheng et al. reported the use of PrBaMn 2 O 5+δ as backbone of
both cathode and anode of symmetrical solid oxide fuel cells, and the electrodes
were coated with Pr 6 O 11 nanocatalysts. The material was used as synergic catalysts
to increase the efficiency of the electrodes. PrBaMn 2 O 5+δ powder was synthesized
via citric acid combustion procedure. For the purpose, the solution of Pr (NO 3 ) 3
· 6H 2 O, Ba(NO 3 ) 2 , and Mn(NO 3 ) 2 · 4H 2 O was made in distilled water. Ethylene
glycol was mixed in the solution as the complexating agent. The pH of the solution was adjusted to ~8 by the addition of NH 3 .H 2 O. Afterward, the solution was
stirred for 2 h, and then heated till the automatic combustion occurred. The product
thus obtained was calcined at 950 °C for 4 h. The powder was then developed into
99
proton was depicted by maximum phosphoric acid-doped ZrP-polybenzimidazole
nanocomposite membrane. Nyquist plot analysis of membranes at varying temperatures revealed good agreement with Randel’s circuit. The study concluded that these
membranes are excellent choice for potential applications in high-temperature proton
exchange membrane fuel cells [21].
9.3 Fuel Cell Electrodes
The fuel electrodes have also been benefitted by nanotechnology. A wide variety of
fuel cells employ several kinds of electrodes for their operations. From the past several
years, the nanotechnology has infiltrated this area of sustainable energy production.
A dual function of energy generation and storage is performed by a type of fuel
cells, known as solid oxide regenerative fuel cells. They are capable of operating
at high temperatures with minimum effects on environment, and hence an appropriate choice for energy managing units. The ability of the electrodes used in these
fuel cells can be considerably enhanced by employing nanomaterials in place of
bulk size materials. However, the use of nanomaterials for the purpose is difficult
because of decrease in stability and control over the nanomaterial at elevated temperatures [22]. This problem has been addressed in a study. The study proposed the use
of wet chemical infiltration technology which permits high-level controllability of
nanoscale materials and their stability at high temperatures. In this study, researchers
fabricated Sm 0.5 Sr 0.5 CoO 3 nanocatalyst electrodes for potential use in solid oxide
regenerative fuel cells. The nanomaterials were fabricated via homogeneous precipitation. This was achieved by decomposition of urea in chemical solution, resulting
in improved crystallization along with the efficient redistribution of precursor. The
efficient precursor redistribution allows accurate adaptation of the phase purity and
geometric properties. By adjusting the prime features of the nanocatalysts, an electrode can be produced that is very near to the ideal electrode model. The prepared
electrodes were analyzed for their durability and performance in both electrolytic and
fuel cells. The study proposed the aforementioned technology as reliable and costeffective method for the production of high-temperature operating fuel cell electrodes
[23].
PrBaMn 2 O 5+δ is one of the excellent symmetrical solid oxide fuel cell electrode
forming substances. Yiheng et al. reported the use of PrBaMn 2 O 5+δ as backbone of
both cathode and anode of symmetrical solid oxide fuel cells, and the electrodes
were coated with Pr 6 O 11 nanocatalysts. The material was used as synergic catalysts
to increase the efficiency of the electrodes. PrBaMn 2 O 5+δ powder was synthesized
via citric acid combustion procedure. For the purpose, the solution of Pr (NO 3 ) 3
· 6H 2 O, Ba(NO 3 ) 2 , and Mn(NO 3 ) 2 · 4H 2 O was made in distilled water. Ethylene
glycol was mixed in the solution as the complexating agent. The pH of the solution was adjusted to ~8 by the addition of NH 3 .H 2 O. Afterward, the solution was
stirred for 2 h, and then heated till the automatic combustion occurred. The product
thus obtained was calcined at 950 °C for 4 h. The powder was then developed into