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

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K13993
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 26020:Inorganic materials and properties-related
• 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 evolution / thin films / ionic conductivity / impedance measurements

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this project, the interaction of light with solid-gas interfaces was analyzed. Various experiments with thin films of 3%Gd-dopedCeO2 (GDC, one of the most prominent materials for use in SOFC as electrolyte and part of composite electrodes). It was found out that the electronic structure, especially at the grain boundaries, is fundamentally affected by light above the bandgap. Also, the ionic conductivity is increased by the light, which is an important parameter for mixed ionic electronic conducting electrodes (MIEC). Collaboration with MIT was conducted. Due to the pandemic, only remote meetings were held. The results found for the increase in ionic conductivity were so outstanding, that further focus was laid on this opto-ionic effect.

Free Research Field

fuel cells

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

The newly discovered new light effect could be beneficial for fuel cells, batteries, sensors and other devices that rely on ionic conductivity. Overall, it will potentially lead to higher efficiency of these devices which will decrease energy demand and help meeting carbon emission reduction goals.