Structural And Proton-Dynamics Studies Of The Superprotonic Phase Stability In Phosphate Solid Acids
Abstract
Major Goals: The main research goal of our project is to stabilize the superprotonic phase of CDP (and/or other phosphate-based solid acids) without the use of high-pressure or high-humidity conditions. Achieving this goal represents a critical step towards the large-scale use of these materials as intermediate temperature fuel cell electrolytes. This is due to the fact that the instability (dehydration) of the superprotonic phases under ambient pressure and humidity is the main barrier to progress towards the above mentioned application. A first major goal within our proposed approach is to determine the microscopic (crystal structure) and macroscopic (proton conductivity) modifications that accompany the dehydration and chemical decomposition of the superprotonic phases of phosphate solid acids. A second goal is synthesize composite materials based on phosphate solid acids and highly dispersed oxides, and to investigate the crystal structures, proton conductionmechanisms, and thermal stability of their superprotonic phases. The main instructional goal of our project is to attract and retain underrepresented minority students to work on this project and provide them with outstanding research and instruction opportunities needed to complete advanced degrees (M.S. and Ph.D.) and successfully compete for employment in STEM disciplines. Besides its fundamental-science impact, our proposed research has the potential to address a critical technological issue for the field of intermediate-temperature fuel cells, namely the instability of the superprotonic phases of phosphate solid acids under ambient pressure and humidity conditions. Indeed, stabilizing these phases will likely lead to the large-scale use of the proposed materials as novel intermediate-temperature fuel cell electrolytes.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 30, 2018
- Accession Number
- AD1081706
Entities
People
- Christian Botez
Organizations
- University of Texas at El Paso