CCVD-Produced, Oxygen-Deficient, Nanocrystalline Perovskite for Low-Temperature Proton Exchange Membranes

73064S03-I Fuel cell technology has enormous promise for efficient and environmentally friendly mobile and stationary power applications. To enable widespread commercialization, higher-performing materials will be needed. This project will use catalytic chemical vapor deposition (CCVD) technology to make nanocrystalline, oxygen-deficient, persovskite materials for the dense mixed oxide proton conductors, used in low- and intermediate-temperature fuel cells. With an optimized composition, a target conductivity of 10-3 S/cm should be achievable, which would be high enough for use in thin-film (5-10?m) electrolyte fuel cells at 150oC. Phase I will focus on thermal and electrical properties of oxygen-deficient nanocrystalline persovskites, particularly in thin-film and sintered-pellet forms, the latter of which can be generated from nanopowders that exhibit very high surface area, high conductivity, low sintering temperatures, and residual nanocrystallinity. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: This technology should accelerate the development of fuel cells for the portable power, automotive, and power-generation markets within the next few years. Sales of fuel cells are anticipated to reach $1.3 billion by the year 2003, up from $355 million in 1998, which corresponds to a 30% annually compounded growth rate.