Joshua M. Mermelstein

Bio: Joshua M. Mermelstein is an academic researcher from Imperial College London. The author has contributed to research in topics: Solid oxide fuel cell & Carbon. The author has an hindex of 7, co-authored 15 publications receiving 472 citations.

Strategies for carbon and sulfur tolerant solid oxide fuel cell materials, incorporating lessons from heterogeneous catalysis

Abstract: Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are a rapidly emerging energy technology for a low carbon world, providing high efficiency, potential to use carbonaceous fuels, and compatibility with carbon capture and storage. However, current state-of-the-art materials have low tolerance to sulfur, a common contaminant of many fuels, and are vulnerable to deactivation due to carbon deposition when using carbon-containing compounds. In this review, we first study the theoretical basis behind carbon and sulfur poisoning, before examining the strategies toward carbon and sulfur tolerance used so far in the SOFC literature. We then study the more extensive relevant heterogeneous catalysis literature for strategies and materials which could be incorporated into carbon and sulfur tolerant fuel cells.

Thermodynamics and Kinetics of the Interaction of Carbon and Sulfur with Solid Oxide fuel Cell Anodes

Abstract: Fuel cells are likely to play a key role in any low-carbon economy. Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are currently capable of sustained and continuous operation on high-purity fuels, but they must demonstrate that they can overcome a number of challenges before they are commercially viable on a large scale. Fuels such as natural gas, and those derived from renewable sources such as gasified biomass, contain many contaminants, typically sulfur- and carbon-containing compounds. To address this it will be necessary to improve our understanding of failure modes in operating SOFCs, and act on this to reduce degradation rates. A combination of techniques will be needed to develop a rigorous approach to understanding and mitigating degradation. The intent of this article is to present a synopsis of the current state of the art in our understanding of the effect of carbon and sulfur on SOFC anodes. Emphasis is placed on the comparison between thermodynamic and kinetic models, and experimental validation of these. In particular the applicability of thermodynamic models to the study of such contaminants is questioned. Additionally the uses of multiscale kinetic models capable of predicting transient conditions are reviewed alongside recent analytical techniques necessary for their validation.

Spinels: Controlled Preparation, Oxygen Reduction/Evolution Reaction Application, and Beyond

Abstract: Spinels with the formula of AB2O4 (where A and B are metal ions) and the properties of magnetism, optics, electricity, and catalysis have taken significant roles in applications of data storage, biotechnology, electronics, laser, sensor, conversion reaction, and energy storage/conversion, which largely depend on their precise structures and compositions. In this review, various spinels with controlled preparations and their applications in oxygen reduction/evolution reaction (ORR/OER) and beyond are summarized. First, the composition and structure of spinels are introduced. Then, recent advances in the preparation of spinels with solid-, solution-, and vapor-phase methods are summarized, and new methods are particularly highlighted. The physicochemical characteristics of spinels such as their compositions, structures, morphologies, defects, and substrates have been rationally regulated through various approaches. This regulation can yield spinels with improved ORR/OER catalytic activities, which can furth...

Progress in solid oxide fuel cells with nickel-based anodes operating on methane and related fuels.

Abstract: Operating on Methane and Related Fuels Wei Wang,† Chao Su,‡ Yuzhou Wu, Ran Ran,† and Zongping Shao*,† †State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University of Technology, No. 5 Xin Mofan Road, Nanjing 210009, People’s Republic of China ‡Department of Chemical Engineering, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6845, Australia Department of Chemical Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia

CuCo Bimetallic Oxide Quantum Dot Decorated Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Nanotubes: A High-Efficiency Bifunctional Oxygen Electrode for Zn–Air Batteries

Abstract: The large-scale production of metal–air batteries, an appealing solution for next-generation energy storage, requires low-cost, earth-abundant, and efficient oxygen electrode materials, yet insights into active catalyst structures and synergistic reactivity remain largely unknown. Here, a new bifunctional oxygen electrode based on nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes decorated by spinel CuCo2O4 quantum dots (CuCo2O4/N-CNTs) is reported, outperforming the benchmark of state-of-the-art noble metal catalysts. Combining spectroscopic characterization and electrochemical studies, a prominent synergetic effect between CuCo2O4 and N-doped carbon nanotubes is uncovered: the high conductivity, large active surface area, and increase in the number of catalytic sites induced by Cu doping (i.e., Cu2+ and CuN) can be beneficial to the overall electrocatalytic activities. Remarkably, the native flexibility of CuCo2O4/N-CNTs allows its direct use as reversible oxygen electrodes in Zn–air batteries either with liquid alkaline electrolyte or in the all-solid-state configuration. The prepared devices demonstrate excellent discharging/charging performance, large energy density (83.83 mW cm−2 in liquid state, 1.86 W g−1 in all-solid-state), and long lifetime (48 h in liquid state, 9 h in all-solid-state), holding great promise in the practical application of rechargeable metal–air batteries and other fuel cells.

Properties and development of Ni/YSZ as an anode material in solid oxide fuel cell: A review

Abstract: In recent times, synthesis, development and fabrication of anode component of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) have gained a significant importance, especially after the advent of anode supported SOFC. The function of the anode electrode involves the facilitation of fuel gas diffusion, oxidation of the fuel, transport of electrons and transport of by-product of the electrochemical reaction. Although impressive progress has been made in the development of alternative anode materials with mixed conducting properties and few of the other composite cermets, Ni/YSZ continues to be the most sought after anode for high temperature SOFC applications. Despite of its poor carburization and sulfidation capabilities during the operation of SOFC directly on hydrocarbons, Ni/YSZ continues to be the most opted anode electrode material due to its high catalytic activity for hydrogen oxidation, methane reforming, high electronic and ionic conductivity and stability. Present review focuses on the various aspects pertaining to Ni/YSZ as an anode in SOFC. Various factors that influence the ohmic, activation and the concentration polarization contribution of anode while using Ni/YSZ are discussed. Importance of optimizing the composition, microstructure and porosity to minimize the above mentioned polarizations are discussed extensively. Various synthesis methods that are used in the preparation of optimized NiO/YSZ composite powder and the methods that are adopted to fabricate anode component are provided in detail in the article. Information on Ni/YSZ anode failure and strategies to improve the long term stability are also discussed exhaustively. Parameters that influence the carburization and sulfidation of Ni/YSZ while using hydrocarbons as fuel are elaborated in this article and means to minimize the same are also discussed.