Papers by Author: Xiang Rong Liu

Abstract: The all-ceria-composite ITSOFCs have demonstrated extraordinary fuel cell performances since the ceria-composite electrodes are very catalytic and conductive, and the ceria-composite electrolytes are highly conductive and also electrolytic, in addition to excellent compatibility between the electrolyte and electrodes based on the same ceria-based composite materials. The power density outputs from 200 to 800 mWcm-2, were obtained for temperatures between 400 and 700°C. The maximum power density 0.72 Wcm-2 (1500 mAcm-2) at 600°C and 0.82 Wcm-2 (1800 mAcm-2) at 700°C were achieved, respectively. These highly catalytic electrodes functioned extensively for many different fuels, such as hydrogen and hydrocarbon fuels, e.g., natural gas, coal gas, methanol and ethanol etc. In some special cases, the ITSOFCs with the ceria-composite electrodes could also work at as low as 200°C. All these good performances are based on the novel catalyst function of the ceria-composite electrodes and internal reforming mechanism.

Abstract: Lithium niobate thin films have been deposited on Pt/Ti/SiO2/Si substrates by the Pechini method from metal carboxylate gels and heat-treated at temperatures ranging from 400 to 600°C. The thermal decomposition of the metal carboxylate precursor gels has been studied by differential thermal analysis and thermogravimetry. The products derived from calcination of the gels at different temperatures have been characterized by Fourier transform infrared, Roman spectrum and X-ray diffraction. Scanning electron microscopy analysis shows the surface of the films to be smooth, dense and crack-free. Electric properties measurement indicates that the LiNbO3 films demonstrate a ferroelectric hysteresis loop. The remanent polarization (Pr) and coercive field (Ec) are 17.89 μC/cm2 and 35.23 kV/cm, respectively.

Abstract: In this work ion conductivity and FC application were studied for the new type composite material based on SDC (samarium doped ceria) and Li2SO4. Significant conductivity enhancement was achieved, e.g. 10-2 – 0.4 Scm-1 for the SDC-Li2SO4 compared to 10-4 -10-2 Scm-1 for the SDC between 400 and 650°C. Some ion conductivity mechanisms were proposed correspondingly. Using the SDC-Li2SO4 composite materials as the electrolytes, we achieved high performances, 200-540 mWcm-2, for intermediate temperature (450-650°C) solid oxide FC (ITSOFC) applications. Sulfates, typically Li2SO4, have an excellent chemical stability in sulfur containing atmosphere. The sulfate-ceria (SDC-Li2SO4) composite materials can thus meet the demands to develop the sulfur tolerant and H2S FC technologies, which was also demonstrated successfully with significant importance for both fundamental and applied research.