There are several different types of fuel cells, each using a different chemistry. Fuel cells are usually classified by their operating temperature and the type of electrolyte they use. Each type will have specific uses where it has advantages such as stationary power generation or mobile power sources. The main types of fuel cells include:
1. Polymer exchange membrane fuel cell(PEMFC)
2. Solid oxide fuel cell(SOFC)
3. Alkaline fuel cell(AFC)
4. Molten-carbonate fuel cell(MCFC)
5. Phosphoric-acid fuel cell(PAFC)
6. Direct-methanol fuel cell(DMFC)
NYACOL® materials are applicable to the Solid Oxide Fuel Cell(SOFC), primarily for the electrolyte, but also could be considered for sintering control of the base metal anode electrode.
Electrolytes are oxygen conducting dense ceramic layers, usually of zirconia or ceria. Doped types are usually used as they have improved properties at the operating temperatures of 600-800°C usually used. Electrolytes are tape casted from ceramic powders or deposited from colloidal dispersions as 10-20 micron layers.
Zirconia electrolytes are usually yttria stabilized zirconia but could be other types like scandia doped zirconia. NYACOL® offers stabilized zirconia nano-particle dispersions which can be used alone or as an additive to ceramic powders to aid in sintering control of the structure.
Ceria electrolytes are usually of doped compositions such as samaria doped ceria or gadolinium doped ceria. NYACOL® offers DP8020 as a samaria doped ceria colloidal dispersion for use as an additive to ceria powders for sintering control or as a starting material for colloidal system based deposition processes.
For more information, contact NYACOL® directly.
