Graduate Student Seminar

February 07, 2025

10:00 a.m. ET

McConomy Auditorium, First Floor Cohon University Center

Intermediate Temperature Proton Conducting Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells with Improved Performance and Durability

Solid oxide cells (SOCs) are promising high temperature electrochemical conversion device for the next generation efficient hydrogen production and energy storage. They have been actively studied because of their high energy conversion efficiencies and prospective applications as electrochemical reactors. In this talk, I will introduce SOC, its working principal, advantages, materials being used, and applications. I will also present WVU’s research in this area, with the focus on our recent progress on protonic ceramic electrochemical cells (PCECs) air electrode and electrolyte. With all the promising potentials, the existing air electrodes are far from satisfying the requirements of practical applications, a series of issues, including the lack of active and durable electrodes, greatly limit the commercialization. To date, the systematic development of triple conducting catalysts remains abstruse because of the challenges of characterizing protonic behavior. A quantitative properties assessment and prediction on protonic properties of perovskite are still not available. Starting with a computational fluid dynamic modeling on the protonic ceramic electrochemical cells (PCECs) air electrode, we focused on the materials design of air electrode materials by employing model guidance, operating durability optimization by electrode structure engineering, as well as the air electrode surface tailoring to overcome the most rate-limiting step. Thus, the electrochemical performance and durability of PCEC care comprehensively improved. The fabrication methods, characterization techniques with electrochemical performance are presented. Further work plans and implications are proposed regarding optimizing the structure of materials, preparation technology, and better understanding the role of these triple conductors. This research is expected to provide an in-depth understanding and offer avenues in the rational design of PCEC with long operational life and high energy/power density in the near future.

Liu

Xingbo Liu
Associate Dean for Research, Statler Endowed Chair of Engineering
Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources
West Virginia University

Liu received his Ph.D. on Materials Science from University of Science and Technology Beijing in 1999, and he subsequently came to West Virginia University as a postdoc. Currently, he is the Associate Dean of Research and Statler Endowed Chair Professor of Engineering in Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources at West Virginia University. Dr, Liu’s has developed an international recognized research program on materials for next generation energy conversion and storage, with the focus on high temperature materials such as solid oxide electrochemical cells & high temperature Ni-Superalloys. Dr. Liu has received numerous awards, including one R&D 100 Award (2011) for his development of SOFC interconnect coating, TMS Early Career Faculty Fellow Award (2010), TMS Brimacombe Medal (2016), State of West Virginia Innovator of the Year (2013), WVU CEMR Researcher of the Year (2015, 2011), Outstanding Researcher Awards (2015, 2011, 2009, 2008), and several others. He is the Fellow of ASM International and American Ceramics Society. In 2023, Dr. Liu received the Hydrogen Production Technology Award from U.S. Department of Energy in recognition of outstanding contributions to developing high-performing, efficient, and durable intermediate-temperature proton conducting solid oxide electrolysis cells.

Upcoming Events