Thesis (M.S.)--Marquette University, 2009. / Available for download on December 08, 2010. Scott Goldsborough, John P. Borg, Hyunjae Park, Advisors.

Thesis (M.S.)--Worcester Polytechnic Institute. / Keywords: methanol; fuel cell; Nafion; membrane. Includes bibliographical references. (p.93-95)

Thesis (M.S.) -- Worcester Polytechnic Institute. / Keywords: electrode; membrane; methanol; fuel cell; Nafion. Includes bibliographical references (p. 93-95).

Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of St Andrews, March 2010.

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2006. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains vii, 156 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 71).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2006. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

The phase relations, electrical properties and structural characteristics of doped cubic stabilised Zirconia based electroceramic materials have been investigated using a number of characterisation techniques. The phase relations of the ternary systems ZrO2 -Y2O3 -TiO2 and ZrO2 -Gd2 O3 - TiO2 at 1500°C have been investigated. Electrical characterisation in air and in low oxygen partial pressures has been carried out using 2-probe A.C. Impedance Spectroscopy and 4-probe D.C. resistivity measurements to ascertain whether compositions within these systems could be utilised as the anode materials in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells. The effect of porosity on the ionic and electronic conducting properties of the ZrO2 -Y2 O3 -TiO2 system has been investigated to provide a clearer understanding of the effect of the porosity within candidate anode materials. The effect of Al2O3 additions on the electrical properties and stability of the Solid Oxide Fuel Cell material of choice, 8 mol% Yttria stabilised Zirconia, has been investigated. Al2 O3 has been found to remain primarily as a second phase within the 8YSZ, however a small quantity of Al3+ does dissolve into the fluorite matrix. Al2 O3 has been found to have a negligible effect on the high temperature ionic conductivity of 8YSZ and improves the resistance of 8YSZ to hydrothermal degradation by stabilising the cubic structure. High temperature Time of Flight Neutron Diffraction has been used to link the change in activation energy observed in 8YSZ to a break down in local ordering of oxygen ions. Extended X-ray absorption Fine Structure Spectroscopy has been used to characterise the local structure of the cations in 8 mol% Yttria-stabilised Zirconia. Analysis of the high temperature data reveals that the local structure is quite different from the average crystallographic structure. The oxygen vacancies were determined to be associated with Zirconium ions and found to disorder at high temperatures.

The aim of this thesis is to propose the design process and considerations to be employed in the fabrication of a high-volumetric-power-density intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cell (IT-SOFC), as well as the necessary characterization and analysis techniques for such a device. A novel hexagonal honeycomb design will be proposed with functionally graded electrodes and an alternative electrolyte – a previously unexplored configuration based on attained research. The potential use of CFD software to investigate mass and heat transport properties of an SOFC having such a design shall be discussed, as well as the utility of experimental methods such as the generation of a polarization curve and the use of SEM to characterize electrochemical performance and microstructure, respectively. Fabrication methods shall also be evaluated, and it will be shown that the proposed design is not only feasible but meets the goal of designing an SOFC with a power density of 2 W/cm3 operating at or below 650 C.

Magister Scientiae - MSc / A new high temperature solid electrolyte composite was developed, with CsHSO4 and CsH2PO4 as the proton conducting material in composition with PTFE and SiO2 to enhance the solid electrolyte composites mechanical strength and conductivity. Conductivity measurements for CsHSO4 and CsH2PO4 and composites thereof, in temperature ranges 0 to 180 oC and 0 to 250 oC respectively, were carried out. The composites with different concentrations PTFE and silica were tested for stability in a enhanced conductivity. hydrogen atmosphere and different degrees of humidity. The CsHSO4 was seen to exhibit a super protonic phase change at temperatures between 132 – 140 C and CsH2PO4 around 230 C. The presence of the PTFE proved to be a stabilizing factor in the reduction of water re-adsorption once the membrane had been dried during thermal conductivity analysis. According to supporting data in the literature it has been found that composites including silica could be influenced by the hydrophilicity and specific surface area of the silica. In the composite system employed it was shown by impedance analysis the presence of two semi-circles in the Nyquist representation for the enhanced conductivity due the presence of silica. / South Africa

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / A fuel cell is an energy device that converts chemical energy to electrical energy. Low temperature fuel cells, namely the hydrogen fuel cell and the direct methanol fuel cell are preferred amongst other fuel cell types for stationary and vehicular applications, due to their small size and their low operating temperature. The direct methanol fuel cell has several advantages over the hydrogen fuel cell including ease of transport and storage since methanol is a liquid. Since methanol is used directly in the cell there is no need for a reforming process, which results in a less complicated system. However, direct methanol fuel cell are in their infancy and many problems need to be overcome before reaching commercialization. The direct methanol fuel cell has several disadvantages, namely, the sluggish methanol oxidation reaction, the high cost of state-of-the-art proton exchange membranes, the high methanol permeability from anode to cathode and the dependence on the conductivity on membrane water content, which limits their use to temperatures below the boiling point of water, while the need is to work at high temperatures. Attempts to overcome the disadvantages of the state-of-the-art membrane were made in this study, including the development on novel proton exchange membranes and also the modification of existing state-of-the-art membranes. / South Africa