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Results for “Electrochemical cells”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1979

Electrochemical cell for rebalancing REDOX flow system

An electrically rechargeable REDOX cell or battery system including one of more rebalancing cells is described. Each rebalancing cell is divided into two chambers by an ion permeable membrane. The first chamber is fed with gaseous hydrogen and a cathode fluid which is circulated through the cathode chamber of the REDOX cell is also passed through the second chamber of the rebalancing cell. Electrochemical reactions take place on the surface of insert electrodes in the first and second chambers to rebalance the electrochemical capacity of the anode and cathode fluids of the REDOX system.

Thaller, L. H.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Probing sulphur clusters in a microfluidic electrochemical cell with synchrotron-based photoionization mass spectrometry

We present synchrotron-based mass spectrometry to probe products formed in the lithium sulphide electrolyte. In operando analysis was obtained at two different potentials in a vacuum compatible microfluidic electrochemical cell. Mass spectral observations show that the charged electrolyte formed sulfur clusters under dynamic conditions, demonstrating electrolyte electron shuttling.

sulphur cluster, lithium – sulphur battery electro↗
DOE OSTI2023

Compact high temperature electrochemical cell stack architecture

An electrochemical cell unit comprises a first electrochemical cell comprising a first oxidant electrode and a first fuel electrode, and a second electrochemical cell comprising a second oxidant electrode and a second fuel electrode. An interconnect interposed between the first electrochemical cell and the second electrochemical cell. The interconnect comprises an interconnect main body defining a longitudinal channel along a longitudinal axis thereof. The interconnect main body includes a plurality of corrugations defining a plurality of fuel channels on a first surface of the interconnect main body facing the first electrochemical cell, and a plurality of oxidant channels on a second surface of the interconnect main body facing the second electrochemical cell. Each of the plurality of fuel channels and the plurality of oxidant channel positioned around the longitudinal channel.

Brown, Casy Cloudless↗
NASA NTRS2004

Method for vacuum pressing electrochemical cell components

Assembling electrochemical cell components using a bonding agent comprising aligning components of the electrochemical cell, applying a bonding agent between the components to bond the components together, placing the components within a container that is essentially a pliable bag, and drawing a vacuum within the bag, wherein the bag conforms to the shape of the components from the pressure outside the bag, thereby holding the components securely in place. The vacuum is passively maintained until the adhesive has cured and the components are securely bonded. The bonding agent used to bond the components of the electrochemical cell may be distributed to the bonding surface from distribution channels in the components. To prevent contamination with bonding agent, some areas may be treated to produce regions of preferred adhesive distribution and protected regions. Treatments may include polishing, etching, coating and providing protective grooves between the bonding surfaces and the protected regions.

Andrews, Craig C.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Methods of forming bilayer cathodes for electrochemical cells

Materials for electrochemical cells are provided. BaZr 0.4 Ce 0.4 M 0.2 O 3 compounds, where M represents one or more rare earth elements, are provided for use as electrolytes. PrBa 0.5 Sr 0.5 Co 2−x Fe x O 5+δ is provided for use as a cathode. Also provided are electrochemical cells, such as protonic ceramic fuel cells, incorporating the compounds as electrolytes and cathodes.

Haile, Sossina M.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Rationally designed negative electrode for selective CO 2 -to-CO conversion in protonic ceramic electrochemical cells

Protonic ceramic electrochemical cells (PCECs) are solid-state electrochemical devices that employ proton-conducting oxides as electrolytes, which offer a promising approach for electrification of chemical manufacturing, including CO 2 reduction to produce value-added chemicals (e.g., CO). The primary advantage of PCECs is their intermediate operating temperatures (300–600 °C), which thermodynamically and kinetically favor the CO 2 reduction chemistry at the negative electrode. However, the conventional negative electrodes of PCECs, such as BaZr 0.8–x Ce x Y 0.2 O 3-δ -Ni or BaZr 0.8–x Ce x Y 0.1 Yb 0.1 O 3-δ -Ni, cannot reduce CO 2 to either CH 4 or CO with a selectivity of >99 %, leading to the production of a CO and CH 4 mixture. Herein, an oxide-supported in-situ exsolved Ni-Fe alloyed nanoparticle electrocatalyst, Sr 2 Fe 1.4 Mo 0.5 O 6-δ -Ni0.175 (SFM-Ni0.175), is first employed as the negative electrode of PCECs. The PCECs equipped with this new negative electrode selectively favor the CO 2 -to-CO conversion. A selectivity of ~100 % toward CO has been demonstrated over a wide range of operating temperatures (400–600 °C) and applied potentials/current densities. The negative electrode demonstrated in this work fully suppresses the CH 4 production. In situ diffuse reflectance infrared spectroscopy (DRIFTS) was performed to probe the CO 2 reduction mechanisms over both SFM-Ni0.175 and the traditional negative electrode (BCZYYb7111 +Ni), which indicates SFM-Ni0.175 inhibits the formation of formate species, leading to selective production of CO. Finally, this work validates that PCECs equipped with the rationally designed negative electrode can selectively manufacture chemicals.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Electrochemical cells and methods of manufacturing the same

Electrochemical cells and methods of making electrochemical cells are described herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a multi-layer sheet for encasing an electrode material for an electrochemical cell. The multi-layer sheet including an outer layer, an intermediate layer that includes a conductive substrate, and an inner layer disposed on a portion of the conductive substrate. The intermediate layer is disposed between the outer layer and the inner layer. The inner layer defines an opening through which a conductive region of the intermediate layer is exposed such that the electrode material can be electrically connected to the conductive region. Thus, the intermediate layer can serve as a current collector for the electrochemical cell.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Electrochemical cells and methods of manufacturing the same

Electrochemical cells and methods of making electrochemical cells are described herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a multi-layer sheet for encasing an electrode material for an electrochemical cell. The multi-layer sheet including an outer layer, an intermediate layer that includes a conductive substrate, and an inner layer disposed on a portion of the conductive substrate. The intermediate layer is disposed between the outer layer and the inner layer. The inner layer defines an opening through which a conductive region of the intermediate layer is exposed such that the electrode material can be electrically connected to the conductive region. Thus, the intermediate layer can serve as a current collector for the electrochemical cell.

Bazzarella, Ricardo↗
DOE OSTI2023

Electrochemical cells and methods of manufacturing the same

Electrochemical cells and methods of making electrochemical cells are described herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a multi-layer sheet for encasing an electrode material for an electrochemical cell. The multi-layer sheet including an outer layer, an intermediate layer that includes a conductive substrate, and an inner layer disposed on a portion of the conductive substrate. The intermediate layer is disposed between the outer layer and the inner layer. The inner layer defines an opening through which a conductive region of the intermediate layer is exposed such that the electrode material can be electrically connected to the conductive region. Thus, the intermediate layer can serve as a current collector for the electrochemical cell.

Bazzarella, Ricardo↗
DOE OSTI2024

Electrochemical cells and methods of manufacturing the same

Electrochemical cells and methods of making electrochemical cells are described herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a multi-layer sheet for encasing an electrode material for an electrochemical cell. The multi-layer sheet including an outer layer, an intermediate layer that includes a conductive substrate, and an inner layer disposed on a portion of the conductive substrate. The intermediate layer is disposed between the outer layer and the inner layer. The inner layer defines an opening through which a conductive region of the intermediate layer is exposed such that the electrode material can be electrically connected to the conductive region. Thus, the intermediate layer can serve as a current collector for the electrochemical cell.

Bazzarella, Ricardo↗
DOE OSTI2025

Innovative Symmetrical Electrolyte Architecture Enables Ultra-Flat and Thermal Resilient Protonic Ceramic Electrochemical Cells

Protonic ceramic electrochemical cells (PCECs) represent a promising class of solid‐state energy conversion devices capable of high‐efficiency hydrogen production and power generation. However, the practical deployment of planar PCECs is fundamentally constrained by severe structural deformation and mechanical failure during fabrication, stemming from asymmetric shrinkage between the thin electrolyte and the thick NiO‐based support layer. Here, in this work, a functionally integrated, symmetry‐engineered double‐sided electrolyte (DE) design is unveiled, which not only suppresses thermally induced curvature but also unlocks significant gains in electrochemical performance and stability. This architecture intrinsically balances shrinkage dynamics across the cell bilaterally, enabling the fabrication of ultra‐flat 5 × 5 cm 2 cells with sub‐100 µm thickness variation. A numerical solid mechanics simulation is introduced to investigate and interpret this achievement. Beyond structural advantages, the DE configuration enhances the cell operational stability, delivering a low open‐circuit voltage degradation of 9.5 mV/100 h across 80 thermal cycles. This work establishes a compelling paradigm wherein architectural symmetry directly translates to both mechanical fidelity and functional enhancement, offering a promising route toward PCECs scale‐up.

08 - HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2022

Nanostructured carbon as highly efficient and stable anodes for ethylene production and power generation in protonic ceramic electrochemical cells

Protonic ceramic electrochemical cells (PCECs) have the potential in reducing the energy input and carbon emissions in ethylene production from ethane dehydrogenation. The performance of conventional perovskite-based anode materials for ethane conversion in PCECs is limited by their low active surface area and proneness to coke deposition. In this work, for the first time, we demonstrate the use of aligned carbon nanotube forests (CNTFs) as a novel anode material for an ethane fueled PCEC to co-produce ethylene and electricity. The CNTF electrode was grown on the electrolyte by the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method. Highly dispersed iron carbide nanoparticles are formed in situ on the CNTFs during the CVD process, acting as highly active catalysts for ethane dehydrogenation. The novel PCECs show superior catalytic and electrochemical performances to that using conventional perovskite-based anodes. The cell also exhibits excellent durability and anti-coking abilities within 100 h test. This work showcases the promising application of nanostructured carbon, a new class of non-perovskite materials, as the multifunctional electrode materials for PCECs.

03 NATURAL GAS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Understanding of A-site deficiency in layered perovskites: promotion of dual reaction kinetics for water oxidation and oxygen reduction in protonic ceramic electrochemical cells

Protonic ceramic electrochemical cells (PCECs) are promising solid-state energy conversion devices which enable the conversion of energy between electricity and hydrogen at intermediate temperatures. Rapid conversion between chemical and electrical energy via PCEC technology will assist in overcoming grand challenges in energy storage. To achieve highly efficient reversible operation between hydrogen production and electricity generation, boosting water-oxidation and oxygen reduction activities of the oxygen electrode while maintaining the durable operation is one of the early-stage technical opportunities. In this study, an A-site deficient layered perovskite (PrBa 0.8 Ca 0.2 ) 0.95 Co 2 O 6–δ has been developed as an oxygen electrode for a PCEC which presents superior electrochemical performances. The electrolysis current density reached as high as –0.72 A cm –2 at 1.3 V, and a peak power density of 0.540 W cm –2 was obtained at 600 °C in electrolysis and fuel cell mode, respectively. The PCEC with the new electrode shows good durability under practical operating conditions for 160 hours in both operating modes with no observable degradation. Here, the reversibility between the electrolysis and fuel cell mode is also successfully demonstrated.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗
DOE OSTI2024

The AUREX cell: a versatile operando electrochemical cell for studying catalytic materials using X-ray diffraction, total scattering and X-ray absorption spectroscopy under working conditions

Understanding the structure–property relationship in electrocatalysts under working conditions is crucial for the rational design of novel and improved catalytic materials. This paper presents the Aarhus University reactor for electrochemical studies using X-rays (AUREX) operando electrocatalytic flow cell, designed as an easy-to-use versatile setup with a minimal background contribution and a uniform flow field to limit concentration polarization and handle gas formation. The cell has been employed to measure operando total scattering, diffraction and absorption spectroscopy as well as simultaneous combinations thereof on a commercial silver electrocatalyst for proof of concept. This combination of operando techniques allows for monitoring of the short-, medium- and long-range structure under working conditions, including an applied potential, liquid electrolyte and local reaction environment. The structural transformations of the Ag electrocatalyst are monitored with non-negative matrix factorization, linear combination analysis, the Pearson correlation coefficient matrix, and refinements in both real and reciprocal space. Upon application of an oxidative potential in an Ar-saturated aqueous 0.1 M KHCO 3 /K 2 CO 3 electrolyte, the face-centered cubic (f.c.c.) Ag gradually transforms first to a trigonal Ag 2 CO 3 phase, followed by the formation of a monoclinic Ag 2 CO 3 phase. A reducing potential immediately reverts the structure to the Ag (f.c.c.) phase. Following the electrochemical-reaction-induced phase transitions is of fundamental interest and necessary for understanding and improving the stability of electrocatalysts, and the operando cell proves a versatile setup for probing this. In addition, it is demonstrated that, when studying electrochemical reactions, a high energy or short exposure time is needed to circumvent beam-induced effects.

Frank, Sara (ORCID:0000000163218363)↗
DOE OSTI2025

Scalable Solution-Processed Electrolyte Membranes with Optimized Microstructure for High-Performance Protonic Ceramic Electrochemical Cells

Proton-conducting electrochemical cells (PCECs) are promising for efficient hydrogen production, but achieving dense, uniform, thin electrolyte layers remains a key challenge, particularly for scalable fabrication. Here, we present a solution-processed deposition approach with a mechanistically optimized slurry for uniform electrolyte formation. By tailoring particle size distribution, solid loading, and solvent/additive balance, we regulated wetting behavior and evaporation kinetics of the electrolyte slurry to promote homogeneous electrolyte particle packing. These features facilitate tight grain boundary contact and early stage neck growth during sintering, eliminating residual porosity, and improving mechanical integrity. The resulting ∼15 μm thick electrolyte shows high density, strong electrode adhesion, and stable interfaces outperforming the previously reported spray-based fabricated electrolyte by about 31% at 600 °C in FC mode. Single cells deliver 0.962 W cm –2 at 600 °C in fuel cell mode and 1.31 A cm –2 at 1.3 V in electrolysis mode, maintaining robust performance over 100 h with negligible degradation (≤0.02% h –1 ) in each mode. Scale-up to 2.5 cm diameter substrates confirmed reproducible densification and geometric stability. This work demonstrates a cost-effective, scalable route where control over particle-fluid interactions and drying dynamics enables a superior electrolyte microstructure and high PCEC performance.

dense microstructure↗