Nanoionic Materials in Fuel Cells

Although fuel cells are not yet as widely used as lithium ion batteries, their potential 

The most commonly used electrolyte materials in SOFCs are based on zirconia and ceria doped with a suitable cation, normally a rare earth (see Chapter 9). The properties that make these two materials attractive for use in fuel cells are discussed in Section 4.4.4, and it is sufficient to note that the most important feature is that they are good oxygen ion conductors. We will focus here on some recent investigations of these materials, with emphasis placed on their methods of preparation. 

An example of the use of nanoionic materials as the cathode in a SOFC is that of nanotubes of Lao.6Sro.4Co03 and Lao.6Sro.4Coo.2Feo.8O3 [136]. These perovskite-type mixed oxides (see Chapters 9 and 12) are widely used as cathode materials, and the nanotubes were prepared by denitration, microwave irradiation and calcination at 800 °C. The shape and size of the nanotubes was controlled by the porous template used, although their application in a fuel cell was not reported. 

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