Synthesis and Photonic Sintering of Proton Conducting Lanthanide Nickelates

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Abstract
Lanthanide nickelate perovskites are known proton conductors at intermediate temperatures (350-600°C). They are attractive targets for proton conducting fuel cells and electrolyzers due to their operational temperature range and their stability in the presence of CO2. These materials have the formula LNiO3, with the lanthanide L = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, or Sm. Sintering is challenging due to phase transformations that occur at lower temperatures than those required for sintering. In this project, a series of lanthanide nickelate perovskites was synthesized via both a precursor solid solution method and the glycine nitrate process. Powders derived from the precursor solid solution method for LaNiO3 and NdNiO3 were sintered at Utility Global Inc. at various temperatures utilizing fast photonic sintering. LaNiO3 was successfully sintered while maintaining the perovskite phase. NdNiO3 underwent a phase transformation at all the conditions tested. The stability of the perovskite phase decreases moving right across the lanthanides in the periodic table, while the expected proton conductivity increases. These results will inform further investigations into lanthanide nickelate perovskites toward the goal of producing a free-standing, sintered, proton-conducting membrane.
Funding Information
  • USDOE Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program
  • DOE (AC05-76RL01830)