Woodhead, 2009, pp339, £145, ISBN 9781845696283

The major motivation for developing solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology is the high electrical efficiency compared with a conventional steam engine. After a century of scientific research and development, the commercialisation of the technology is on the horizon. The fuel cell is a device that directly converts chemical energy in fossil fuel into electrical power, electrochemically. Higher electrical efficiency infers a reduced CO2 emission per unit of electricity produced if hydrocarbons are used as fuels – increasingly important as we endeavour to minimise the emission of greenhouse gases in future power generation.

This book first covers a history of the discovery of SOFCs, which were initially introduced more than 150 years ago with the combining of hydrogen with oxygen. Next the book discusses the four basic functional elements in an SOFC: electrolyte, cathode, anode and interconnect.

The book then goes on to detail the thermodynamics of SOFCs, defining the maximum cell voltage, specific chemical reactions and its dependence on concentration, pressure and temperature. In addition, thermal and chemical expansion coefficients are important for the dimensional stability of SOFC’s.

Analysis of operational features examines current flow and energy balance in addition to electrical efficiency and voltage losses. Coverage is also given to oxideion electrolytes in SOFCs including the criteria for good candidate materials, characteristics of conducting behaviour and the effect of crystallography.

An excellent presentation of experimental techniques including electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), galvanic current interruption (GCI), helium-oxygen shift, electrical conductivity and diffusion measurements widely used in the study of SOFCs is then given.

The treatment continues with a description of the thermodynamics and kinetics of steam methane reforming (SMR), together with carbon formation in SOFCs. Degradation of SOFC performance is often associated with various mechanisms of electrode poisoning by trace sulphur in the fuel stream leading to anode deterioration and gas-phase chromium oxide, causing cathode degradation. The poisoning mechanisms of silica and phosphorus on the anode are also discussed.

Completing the volume is a discussion of materials for SOFCs featuring ZrO2, CeO2 and GaO3 – based electrolytes, fabrication techniques together with some instructive micrographs.

The text is well-written, well researched and with four appendices containing useful thermodynamic data provides a useful reference for all those researching this field, so should find a place on the shelves of all materials departmental libraries.