LSM-YSZ SOFC Composite Cathode Reconstruction (FIB/SEM)
Channel: Joshua Taillon
Date: 2014-08-29

Cathode degradation in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) is a critical and limiting factor in the successful adoption of these devices as an efficient and environmentally-friendly means of energy conversion (fuel to electricity). 

We are utilizing state-of-the-art characterization tools at NIST to measure, quantify, and compare changes that occur in the microstructure of these materials at the nanoscale. Examining the direct effects of degradation on the cathode microstructure can help explain the electrical performance deterioration observed called "cathode poisoning". Using a focused ion beam (FIB)/scanning electron microscope (SEM) dual-beam microscope, we can physically remove material from our sample, and periodically image it in order to build up a 3D representation of the underlying microstructure.

This specific example illustrates a dual beam FIB/SEM nanotomography reconstruction of a porous composite SOFC cathode made from lanthanum strontium manganite (LSM) and yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ). The LSM acts as an electronic conductor, while the YSZ is an ionic conductor, which allows for effective splitting of electrons from oxygen atoms in order to generate electricity. 

The data was collected using 30nm slices in an FEI Helios 650 FIB/SEM at the Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology at the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Data like this informs the science and processing necessary to develop the next generation of energy conversion technology, dramatically improving energy efficiency and reducing the environmental impact of our ever-increasing energy demands.

For more detail, see:
J. Taillon, C. Pellegrinelli, Y.Huang, E. Wachsman, and L. Salamanca-Riba, ECS Transactions, 61 (1), 109-120, 2014.
http://ecst.ecsdl.org/content/61/1/109.short

Funded through:
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program, Grant #DGE1322106
Department of Energy, SECA Contract #DEFE0009084 

Joshua Taillon
Materials Science and Engineering
University of Maryland, College Park
http://www.joshuataillon.com