Fabrication of Robust Ceramic Proton Conductors

Ceramic proton conductors have the potential to become an important part of future energy systems - from fuel cells for efficient use of natural gas to steam electrolysers for solar energy storage to hydrogen pumps for gas cleanup at IGCC coal power plant s with carbon-capture. The project is based on a Norwegian patent of a new class of high temperature ceramic proton conductors (HTPC); accceptor doped rare earth niobates and tantalates, that are chemically stable due to non-basicity and mechanically robu st due to ferroelasticity. The present project addresses the crucial issues required to prepare the La(Nb,Ta)O4 proton conductors for commercial deployment, which are not covered in all other projects. The novelty and innovation associated with this proje ct is about turning lab-scale functional material research into functional material systems that can be manufactured with ?nano-controlled properties? on a commercial scale by means of e.g. screen printing, ultrasonic spray deposition (USD) chemical solut ion deposition (CSD) and chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The key issues are the assessment of reproducibility in the preparation of thin films by industrially scalable processes, the evaluation of production costs and the investigation of long term durab ility/degradation of the produced systems. Estimated time to commercial deployment is 10 years (2018). IN addition to scientists from Protia AS, the project involves groups at UiO, NTNU, and SINTEF, lasts for 3 years, educates 1 PhD candidate, 1 post doc and facilitates 4-6 MSc candidates.