Semester

Summer

Date of Graduation

2023

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

College

Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

Department

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Committee Chair

Xingbo Liu

Committee Member

Wenyuan Li

Committee Member

Shanshan Hu

Committee Member

Wei Li

Abstract

This thesis studied the long-term stability of Ruddlesden-Popper phase Lanthanum Nickelate under operating conditions as the air electrode for Reversible Solid Oxide Cells (R-SOC). Renewable energies have gone through increase in popularity throughout the last decades, mainly due to the consequences of the rapid population growth in the world. These new energies have been pointed as the rightful successor of fossil fuel energies in order to decrease the environmental impact of our day-to-day life. Solid Oxide Fuel Cells as well as Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells are believed to be the key to stabilizing the energy supply when environmental conditions are not favorable enough for it. In order to maximize operation efficiency and fulfill production needs, Solid Oxide Cells are arranged in stacks, in which metallic interconnectors provide support and connection from cell to cell. These interconnectors tend to segregate chromium-containing compounds at high temperatures, which leads to a rapid degradation of the cell and will likely end in cell malfunction. Lanthanum Nickelate seems like a good electrode choice for this role due to its characteristics, both electrochemical as well as structural. Lanthanum Nickelate electrodes were performed as air electrodes and were tested under chromium exposure in different conditions to simulate the effect that metallic interconnects would have on this air electrode material. The impact of chromium on the composition/structure and the performance of Lanthanum Nickelate were investigated in detail.

Download

Share

COinS