Diffusion and Degradation Phenomena in Solid Oxide Materials

Dear Colleagues,

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) and solid oxide electrolyzer cells (SOECs) are key elements for a future emission-free energy system as they allow for storing energy from intermittent renewable sources via electrochemical energy conversion. In order to induce a sufficient ionic conductivity in the solid electrolyte, high operation temperatures of 500 °C to 900 °C are necessary, which demand a sufficient long-term stability, especially under varying applied loads.

To optimize the material performance, a deeper understanding of the fundamental diffusion processes in mixed ionic–electronic conductors under gradients of the chemical and electrical potential is needed. Therefore, the relation between crystallographic structure and ionic conductivity is one of the pivotal research questions. As interfaces and inner surfaces such as grain boundaries and dislocations can also play an important role in the electrochemical performance of an oxide but may simultaneously act as a seed for irreversible phase transformations, the analysis and comparison of the properties of single crystals and ceramics can assist in building heuristic models for mass transport in solid oxides.

The Special Issue aims at serving as a platform for not only research related to the characterization of conventional solid oxides used as fuel cell electrolytes and electrodes, but also research on the synthesis and characterization of novel oxides with enhanced ionic conductivity.

Dr. Christian Rodenbücher
Dr. Carsten Korte
Dr. Qingping Fang
Guest Editors

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