"Priority-2030": VyatGU finds a solution to the problem of sealing fuel elements

      Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are electrochemical devices that convert the chemical energy of a fuel into electricity. They are used in various fields, for example in transportation, electrochemical pipeline protection systems, and combined heat and power generation units.

      At Vyatka State University (VyatSU), research on the development of tubular SOFCs has been underway for several years. In 2021, the university’s researchers focused on creating effective sealing elements for SOFCs.

      “The operating temperature of SOFCs is 700–850°C, which makes selecting materials for sealing such devices difficult. We developed a unique glass–polymer filament with which we print parts on a 3D printer, significantly simplifying SOFC assembly and increasing the reliability of joints,” said Nailya Saetova, co‑author of the development and senior research fellow at the VyatSU Competence Center “Polymer Materials.”

      Unlike existing methods for forming glass‑filled compositions, VyatSU’s development provides the precision required for sealing SOFCs. The dimensions of interconnector holes must match the dimensions of the fuel cells with minimal deviations to ensure reliable sealing.

      “SOFCs operate in a dual atmosphere. Air is supplied from the outside, and hydrogen is inside. Preventing the mixing of these gas mixtures is critically important. For this we use glass. During heating, the polymer component burns out, leaving glass that provides reliable sealing. A maximum filler content of 72 wt.% ensures a high reliability of the joints,” Nailya Saetova explained.

      VyatSU has currently developed a scheme for the serial manufacture of parts of various shapes and sizes by 3D printing from glass–polymer compositions with differing filler contents, and the compositions of the glass–polymer mixtures have been patented.

      Thanks to the advantages of the proposed approach, VyatSU’s researchers have attracted interest from leading scientific institutes and manufacturers in the field of electrochemistry, in particular the Institute of Solid State Chemistry and Mechanochemistry, SB RAS; the Research and Innovation Center “TOPAZ”; and the NTI “Hydrogen as the Basis of a Low‑Carbon Economy” based at the G. K. Boreskov Institute of Catalysis, SB RAS.

      The work is being carried out within the framework of the strategic technology project “Materials and Technologies for Electrochemical Power Engineering” of the “Priority‑2030” program.