1. Modulating redox properties of solid-state ion-conducting materials using microwave irradiation
- Author
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Serra, J. M., Balaguer, M., Santos-Blasco, J., Borras-Morell, J. F., Garcia-Baños, B., Plaza-Gonzalez, P., Catalán-Martínez, D., Penaranda-Foix, F., Domínguez, A., Navarrete, L., and Catala-Civera, J. M.
- Abstract
The industrial adoption of low-carbon technologies and renewable electricity requires novel tools for electrifying unitary steps and efficient energy storage, such as the catalytic synthesis of valuable chemical carriers. The recently-discovered use of microwaves as an effective reducing agent of solid materials provides a novel framework to improve this chemical-conversion route, thanks to promoting oxygen-vacancy formation and O2-surface exchange at low temperatures. However, many efforts are still required to boost the redox properties and process efficiency. Here, we scrutinise the dynamics and the physicochemical dependencies governing microwave-induced redox transformations on solid-state ion-conducting materials. The reduction is triggered upon a material-dependent induction temperature, leading to a characteristically abrupt rise in electric conductivity. This work reveals that the released O2yield strongly depends on the material's composition and can be tuned by controlling the gas-environment composition and the intensity of the microwave power. The reduction effect prevails at the grain surface level and, thus, amplifies for fine-grained materials, and this is ascribed to limitations in oxygen-vacancy diffusion across the grain compared to a microwave-enhanced surface evacuation. The precise cyclability and stability of the redox process will enable multiple applications like gas depuration, energy storage, or hydrogen generation in several industrial applications.
- Published
- 2023
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