Opto-Electrical Analysis of the Oxygen Reduction Reaction at Solid-Gas Interfaces

2020 Fiscal Year Research-status Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K13993
• Research Institution: Kyushu University
• Principal Investigator: Klotz Dino 九州大学, カーボンニュートラル・エネルギー国際研究所, 助教 (00814849)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: oxygen exchange reaction / impedance spectroscopy / ionic conductivity

Outline of Annual Research Achievements

First experiments have been conducted successfully. Findings have been presented on international conferences. Investigated materials were Pr-doped CeO2, Gd-dioed CeO2, Strontium Titanate and Fe-doped Strontium Titanate. The measurement setups have been expanded and allow now for detailed analysis of gas, temperature and light (intensity and wavelength) dependency of the oxygen exchange reaction. During the last year, the focus has been on improving the sensitivity of the light intensity measurement. Therefore, the light source was changed from an LED to a laser diode. The measurement technique "intensity-modulated photocurrent spectroscopy (IMPS)" has been adapted for use in those materials (previously it was only used for solar cells and water splitting devices). Ways to distinguish surface exchange behaviour from bulk diffusion behaviour have been developed.

Current Status of Research Progress

3: Progress in research has been slightly delayed.

Reason

The preliminary measurements have been performed but for the final publications, two more measurements are required. The setup had to be expanded to reach a better signal-to-noise ratio for measuring the dynamic light absorption. This has been delayed because business trips to visit collaborators (sample production) had to be cancelled due to the pandemic and shutdown of the laboratories of the collaborators at MIT and PSI.

Strategy for Future Research Activity

The missing samples are expected to arrive in May or June. Then the final experiments will be conducted and the final publications will be completed. If the travel restrictions are lifted, another business trip for final clarifications and discussions at MIT will be made.

Causes of Carryover

Main expenditure for next fiscal year is a business trip to MIT for final discussions. Apart from that, materials for sample production and contacting and consumables are required for the final measurements.