Report
Teaser, summary, work performed and final results
Periodic Reporting for period 1 - 3D-POWER (Three-Dimensional Perovskite Oxides as Working ElectRochemical devices)
Teaser
3D-POWER project has utilized advancements in Additive Manufacturing (AM) techniques such as 3D-Printing to fabricate imaginative architectures from layered perovskite oxides such as La1-xSrxMnO3 (LSM) materials to address the specific demands of the sustainable energy sector...
Summary
3D-POWER project has utilized advancements in Additive Manufacturing (AM) techniques such as 3D-Printing to fabricate imaginative architectures from layered perovskite oxides such as La1-xSrxMnO3 (LSM) materials to address the specific demands of the sustainable energy sector. Under this work we successfully custom designed innovative 3D structures, which have been used as promising electrode templates for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells. The developed 3D-Printing method for electrode fabrication is applicable to other electrochemical devices such as batteries, electrolysers, and hydrogen storage. These activities have made a promising start in contributing towards the EU’s need to develop innovative materials solutions for providing next generation energy technologies. This is a highly innovative work which addresses vital issues related to energy conversion and storage and look forward to building sustainable energy solutions from commercially available materials such as oxides, ceramics and other materials. This is an emerging and extremely exciting research field which combines novel and disruptive technologies like 3D-printing with traditional electrochemistry over a miniature scale. The exciting results which have been achieved under 3D-POWER will be beneficial for scientific society in the field of Renewable Energy Technologies and in general environmental research within the EU.
Work performed
In 3D-POWER we used robocast 3D printing technique, a type of Additive Manufacturing (AM), for fabrication of electrodes for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) and batteries. This was an effort to find the alternative to present day SOFC fabrication techniques which involve expensive, time-consuming multi-step processes as well as limit the design to flat plates or tubes. AM has been reasonably well established for the production of conventional ceramic parts with complex geometries, but little attention has been given to its use in fabrication of energy devices. Thus,this project dealt with an exciting and novel avenue to realize 3D printed SOFC electrodes and fabricate innovative geometries which potentially lead to higher levels of performance. In these activities we were successful to fabricate symmetric SOFC cell using LaSrMnO as an 3D-electrode on YSZ substrate. Moreover LSGM and CGO materials were also successfully implemented as an electrolyte. The achieved results are comparable with the available data in literature using conventional tape casting technique. Full SOFC cell was realized with 3D-printed electrodes with YSZ or LSGM electrolytes and its electrochemical performance was tested using Impedance spectroscopy. This work is in accordance with the Work Packages 1 and 2. For WP 3 i.e. Dissemination of knowledge/Results variety of activities were undertaken and have been mentioned in details in attached Periodic Technical Report Part B. To highlight a few- An Invited talk has been delivered at ‘Researcher Link Workshop between India and UK on Generation, Storage and Utilization of Renewable Hydrogen: Towards Sustainable Energy’ at Agra, India, allowing main researcher Dr. Kawale to build new collaborations within India and EU. Variety of conferences, day symposiums and meetings have been attended. For example a poster entitled ‘Interface engineering in LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 (cathode) / LLZO (electrolyte) based solid-state batteries’ was presented at Interfaces in Energy Materials Conference, Trinity College, Cambridge, UK, in April 2018. To disseminate results and progress under 3D-POWER international event like 233rd Electrochemical Society (ECS) Meeting at Seattle in June 2018 was been attended allowing establishing new collaborations internationally. Academic Lab visits and Industrial visit were also undertaken- which allowed injections of new perspectives and ideas in to the research work carried under 3D-POWER project.
Final results
The research activities under 3D-POWER at Imperial College London allowed development of innovative architectures of oxides, ceramics and other materials for their use in energy conversion and storage devices. Additive Manufacturing based Robocast 3D-printing technique was used to fabricate electrodes for solid oxide fuel cells and solid state batteries. The exciting results achieved on SOFC electrode fabrication has developed new knowledge and understanding, which can be translated to other energy devices such as super-capacitors, batteries and devices in other fields such as hydrogen storage. This is an emerging and extremely exciting research field which combines novel and disruptive technologies like 3D-printing with traditional electrochemistry over a miniature scale. The outcomes of this project have a strong potential to generate innovative IP and impact the field of Renewable Energy techniques.
Impact: 3D-POWER allowed the main applicant (S.S.Kawale) to restart his research career at a prestigious institute like Imperial College London, making immense impact on his personal and professional growth. The training he has received at Imperial under 3D-POWER helped him secure a Postdoctoral position at the Material Innovation Factory at University of Liverpool. This is in perfect alignment with EU\'s expectations from MSCA-CAR (Career Restart Panel) fellowship. Through this position he will continue contributing toward research and development within the EU. The work carried out so far has potential of generating at least one patent about all 3D-printed electrodes for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells. The patent writing is ongoing under the excellent and extensive guidance from ‘Imperial Innovations’ office. Publication of research articles will undertake upon submission of the patent. Potential success of the 3D-POWER project aligns with one of the ‘10 Commission priorities for 2015-19’ from EU i.e. Priority for Energy union and climate - Making energy more secure, affordable and sustainable.