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Reduced nickel content leads to improved stability and performance for Ceramic fuel cells

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Reduced nickel content leads to improved stability and performance for Ceramic fuel cells

A research team in Korea has developed a ceramic fuel cell that offers both stability and high performance while reducing the required amount of catalyst by a factor of 20. The application range for ceramic fuel cells, which have so far only been used for large-scale power generation due to the difficulties associated with frequent start-ups, can be expected to expand to new fields, such as electric vehicles, robots, and drones.

The Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) announced that a team led by Dr. Ji-Won Son at the Center for Energy Materials Research, through joint research with Professor Seung Min Han at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), has developed a new technology that suppresses the deterioration brought on by the reduction-oxidation cycle, a major cause of ceramic fuel cell degradation, by significantly reducing the quantity and size of the nickel catalyst in the anode using a thin-film technology.

Ceramic fuel cells, representative of high-temperature fuel cells, generally operate at high temperatures – 800 C or higher. Therefore, inexpensive catalysts, such as nickel, can be used in these cells, as opposed to low-temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cells, which use expensive platinum catalysts.

Nickel usually comprises approximately 40% of the anode volume of a ceramic fuel cell. However, since nickel agglomerates at high temperatures, when the ceramic fuel cell is exposed to the oxidation and reduction processes which accompany stop-restart cycles, uncontrollable expansion occurs.

This results in the destruction of the entire ceramic fuel cell structure. This fatal drawback has prevented the generation of power by ceramic fuel cells from applications which require frequent start-ups.

In an effort to overcome this, Dr. Ji-Won Son’s team at KIST developed a new concept for an anode which contains significantly less nickel, just 1/20 of a conventional ceramic fuel cell. This reduced amount of nickel enables the nickel particles in the anode to remain isolated from one another.

To compensate for the reduced amount of the nickel catalyst, the nickel’s surface area is drastically increased through the realization of an anode structure where nickel nanoparticles are evenly distributed throughout the ceramic matrix using a thin-film deposition process.

In ceramic fuel cells utilizing this novel anode, no deterioration or performance degradation of the ceramic fuel cells was witnessed, even after more than 100 reduction-oxidation cycles, in comparison with conventional ceramic fuel cells, which failed after fewer than 20 cycles.

Moreover, the power output of the novel anode ceramic fuel cells was improved by 1.5 times compared to conventional cells, despite the substantial reduction of the nickel content.

Dr. Ji-Won Son explained the significance of the study, stating, “Our research into the novel anode fuel cell was systematically conducted at every stage, from design to realization and evaluation, based on our understanding of reduction-oxidation failure, which is one of the primary causes of the destruction of ceramic fuel cells.” Dr. Son also commented, “The potential to apply these ceramic fuel cells to fields other than power plants, such as for mobility, is tremendous.”

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Solar Energy

Innovative approach to perovskite solar cells achieves 24.5% efficiency

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Innovative approach to perovskite solar cells achieves 24.5% efficiency


Innovative approach to perovskite solar cells achieves 24.5% efficiency

by Simon Mansfield

Sydney, Australia (SPX) Mar 28, 2024






In groundbreaking research published in Nano Energy, a team led by Prof. CHEN Chong at the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, has significantly improved the performance of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). By integrating inorganic nano-material tin sulfoxide (SnSO) as a dopant, they have boosted the photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) of PSCs to an impressive 24.5%.

Traditional methods of enhancing the charge transport in the critical hole transport layer (HTL) of PSCs involve the use of lithium trifluoromethanesulfonyl imide (Li-TFSI) to facilitate the oxidation of the HTL material spiro-OMeTAD. However, this method suffers from low doping efficiency and can leave excess Li-TFSI in the spiro-OMeTAD film, reducing its compactness and long-term conductivity. Additionally, the oxidation process typically requires 10-24 hours to achieve the desired electrical conductivity and work function.



The HFIPS team’s innovation lies in their development of a rapid and replicable method to control the oxidation of nanomaterials, using SnSO nanomaterial to pre-oxidize spiro-OMeTAD in precursor solutions. This novel approach not only enhances conductivity but also optimizes the energy level position of the HTL, culminating in a high PCE of 24.5%.



One of the key advantages of the SnSO-regulated spiro-OMeTAD HTL is its pinhole-free, uniform, and smooth morphology, which maintains its performance and physical integrity even under challenging conditions of high temperature and humidity. Additionally, the oxidation process facilitated by this method is significantly faster, taking only a few hours- a crucial factor in improving the commercial production efficiency of PSCs.



Prof. CHEN Chong highlighted the importance of this breakthrough, stating, “Also, the oxidation process only takes a few hours, which is good for improving the commercial preparation efficiency of PSCs.” This advancement not only marks a significant leap in the efficiency and stability of PSCs but also holds substantial implications for their commercial viability.



Research Report:A nanomaterial-regulated oxidation of hole transporting layer for highly stable and efficient perovskite solar cells


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Revolutionary technique boosts flexible solar cell efficiency to record high

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Revolutionary technique boosts flexible solar cell efficiency to record high


Revolutionary technique boosts flexible solar cell efficiency to record high

by Simon Mansfield

Sydney, Australia (SPX) Mar 28, 2024






Researchers at Tsinghua University have made a significant breakthrough in the efficiency of flexible solar cells, leveraging a novel fabrication technique to set a new efficiency record. This advancement addresses the longstanding challenge of the lower energy conversion efficiency in flexible solar cells compared to their rigid counterparts, offering promising implications for aerospace and flexible electronics applications.

Flexible perovskite solar cells (FPSCs), despite their potential, have historically lagged in efficiency due to the polyethylene terephthalate (PET)-based flexible substrate’s inherent softness and inhomogeneity. This limitation, coupled with durability issues arising from the substrate’s susceptibility to water and oxygen infiltration, has hindered the practical deployment of FPSCs.



The team from the State Key Laboratory of Power System Operation and Control at Tsinghua University, alongside collaborators from the Center for Excellence in Nanoscience at the National Center for Nanoscience and Technology in Beijing, introduced a chemical bath deposition (CBD) technique. This method facilitates the deposition of tin oxide (SnO2) on flexible substrates without the need for strong acids, which are detrimental to such substrates. Tin oxide is essential for the FPSCs as it acts as an electron transport layer, crucial for the cells’ power conversion efficiency.



Associate Professor Chenyi Yi, a senior author of the study, explained, “Our method utilizes SnSO4 tin sulfate instead of SnCl2 tin chloride, making it suitable for acid-sensitive flexible substrates. This approach not only enhances the efficiency of FPSCs but also their durability, with a new power conversion efficiency benchmark set at 25.09%, certified at 24.90%.”



The novel fabrication technique also contributes to the FPSCs’ stability, as demonstrated by the cells maintaining 90% of their initial efficiency after being bent 10,000 times. The researchers noted an improved high-temperature stability in SnSO4-based FPSCs over those made with SnCl2, pointing towards the dual benefits of efficiency and durability enhancements.



The research signifies a leap towards industrial-scale production of high-efficiency FPSCs, with potential applications ranging from wearable technology and portable electronics to aerospace power sources and large-scale renewable energy solutions. The team’s findings, supported by Ningyu Ren, Liguo Tan, Minghao Li, Junjie Zhou, Yiran Ye, Boxin Jiao, and Liming Ding, mark a pivotal step in transitioning FPSCs from laboratory to commercial use.



Research Report:25% – Efficiency flexible perovskite solar cells via controllable growth of SnO2


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Solar Energy

KAUST advances in perovskite-silicon tandem cells

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KAUST advances in perovskite-silicon tandem cells


KAUST advances in perovskite-silicon tandem cells

by Sophie Jenkins

London, UK (SPX) Mar 28, 2024






In 2009, researchers introduced perovskite-based solar cells, highlighting the potential of methylammonium lead bromide and methylammonium lead iodide-known as lead halide perovskites-for photovoltaic research. These materials, notable for their excellent light-absorbing properties, marked the beginning of an innovative direction in solar energy generation. Since then, the efficiency of perovskite solar cells has significantly increased, indicating a future where they are used alongside traditional silicon in solar panels.

Erkan Aydin, Stefaan De Wolf, and their team at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) have explored how this tandem technology could transition from experimental stages to commercial production. Perovskites are lauded for their low-temperature production process and their flexibility in application, offering a lighter, more adaptable, and potentially cost-effective alternative to silicon-based panels.



Combining perovskite with silicon in a single solar cell leverages the strengths of both materials, enhancing sunlight utilization and reducing losses that aren’t converted into electrical energy. “The synergy between perovskite and silicon technologies in tandem cells captures a broader spectrum of sunlight, minimizing energy loss and significantly boosting efficiency,” Aydin notes.



However, Aydin and his colleagues acknowledge challenges in scaling tandem solar-cell fabrication for the marketplace. For instance, the process of depositing perovskite on silicon surfaces is complicated by the silicon’s texture. Traditional laboratory methods like spin coating are not feasible for large-scale production due to their inefficiency and material wastage. Alternatives such as slot-die coating and physical vapor deposition present their own set of advantages and challenges.



Moreover, the durability of perovskite components under environmental stressors such as moisture, heat, and light remains a critical concern. Aydin emphasizes the need for focused research to enhance the reliability and lifespan of perovskite/silicon tandem cells, especially in harsh conditions.



Although tandem modules have already been demonstrated in proof-of-concept stages, the timeline for their market readiness is uncertain. Nonetheless, the successful development of efficient, commercial-grade perovskite/silicon solar cells is essential for meeting global energy demands sustainably.



Research Report:Pathways toward commercial perovskite/silicon tandem photovoltaics


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King Abdullah University of Science and Technology

All About Solar Energy at SolarDaily.com





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