Layered electrolyte with high ionic conductivity

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This patent describes a new type of electrolyte material with a unique layered structure designed to significantly enhance ionic conductivity, especially at lower temperatures. The material alternates layers rich in a base metal (such as zirconium) with layers rich in an additional metal (such as yttrium), creating pathways with more oxygen vacancies and minimal blockages for ion transport. This structure results in much higher ionic conductivity compared to existing solid electrolytes, making it particularly suitable for improving the efficiency and lifetime of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs).

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• Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) as electrolytes for improved energy conversion efficiency and lower operational temperatures.
• Portable and stationary power generation systems requiring efficient, durable fuel cells.
• Electrolytes in electrochemical sensors and devices demanding high ionic conductivity at moderate temperatures.
• Advanced batteries and energy storage technologies relying on solid electrolytes.
• Application in reactors and chemical processing units where robust, highly conductive electrolytes are advantageous.

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• Substantially higher ionic conductivity compared to traditional solid electrolytes, especially at lower temperatures.
• Enables SOFC operation at reduced temperatures, resulting in longer component lifetimes and lower material stress.
• Minimizes blockages in ion transport pathways by segregating metals into layers, leading to more efficient oxygen ion movement.
• Potential to design thicker, more mechanically stable electrolytes without sacrificing performance, which can simplify SOFC construction.
• The approach can be adapted to a variety of metal combinations, expanding its applicability across different technological areas.

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Patent Abstract

The electrolyte material comprises an electronically insulating oxide of a base metal and at least one additional metal or oxide of an additional metal, which enhances the base metal with ionic conductivity. According to the invention, the electrolyte material has a layer structure with B-layers in which at least 30 % of the metal atoms and/or metal ions are of the base metal and A-layers in which at least 30 % of the metal atoms and/or metal ions are of the additional metal. This segregation of metals also segregates oxygen vacancies from passageway blockages. In an electrolyte material with 2 zirconium ions, 2 yttrium ions and 7 oxygen ions per unit cell and a vacancy concentration of 12.5 %, ionic conductivity parallel to the B-layers is 42 S/m at 800°C and 13 S/m at 500°C. The prior-art electrolyte material 8YSZ with a vacancy concentration of 4 % has only 2 S/m at 800°C and 0.11 S/m at 500°C.