Development of optimized contact materials for interconnect layers in reversible solid oxide fuel cells for the conversion of CO2 and H2O to syngas

SeeO2 Energy has developed world-leading catalysts for reversible solid oxide fuel cell (RSOFC) systems with promising performance to produce syngas from H2O:CO2 feeds. The company has scaled-up the technology and has moved closer towards commercialization by building larger cells. However, assembling the RSOFC stack presents challenges due to issues associated with contact materials especially at the oxygen side of interconnects. The contact material connects the respective electrodes and interconnect and provides high electrical conduction paths between the interconnect and electrodes. To this end, SeeO2 Energy has been working towards optimizing contact materials for use in assembling a RSOFC stack. Finding an optimized contact material for RSOFC stack is an important step towards commercialization. Proposed project aims to develop a highly electrically conductive, chemically and thermally stable contact material for RSOFC stack, which can facilitate long-term operation. The optimized contact material will fulfill following requirements: high electronic conductivity and matching thermal expansion coefficient values with other cell components, and appropriate sintering activity.

Faculty Supervisor:

Simon Trudel

Student:

Santiago Jimenez Villegas

Partner:

SeeO2 Energy

Discipline:

Chemistry

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Calgary