Electron-Phonon Renormalization in the Proton-Conducting Electrolyte BaZrO_{3} and Its Implications for High-Temperature Electrolysis

Electrical leakage is an inherent problem in solid-oxide fuel and electrolyzer cells, limiting their energy-conversion efficiency. High concentrations of electrons or holes can exacerbate this issue. However, it is largely unclear how the typical high operating temperatures of the systems influence...

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Main Authors: Shenli Zhang, Andrew J.E. Rowberg, Tadashi Ogitsu, Tuan Anh Pham, Joel B. Varley
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: American Physical Society 2025-03-01
Series:PRX Energy
Online Access:http://doi.org/10.1103/PRXEnergy.4.013013
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author Shenli Zhang
Andrew J.E. Rowberg
Tadashi Ogitsu
Tuan Anh Pham
Joel B. Varley
author_facet Shenli Zhang
Andrew J.E. Rowberg
Tadashi Ogitsu
Tuan Anh Pham
Joel B. Varley
author_sort Shenli Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Electrical leakage is an inherent problem in solid-oxide fuel and electrolyzer cells, limiting their energy-conversion efficiency. High concentrations of electrons or holes can exacerbate this issue. However, it is largely unclear how the typical high operating temperatures of the systems influence their charge-carrier concentrations. In this work, we use first-principles calculations to examine how lattice vibrations impact electrical conductivity in conventional electrolytes, using BaZrO_{3} as a representative material. Our analysis shows that phonon-induced shifts in the band gap and band edges lead to a dramatic increase in p-type carrier concentrations at temperatures above 600 K, compared to models that neglect temperature effects. Additionally, we reveal the importance of oxygen-ion motion on band-edge positions, which makes valence-band-edge shift dominate the band-gap change. Our study provides a protocol for calculating phonon-induced changes in similar oxides, paving the way for interrogating electrical leakage in electrolytes for high-temperature operation.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2768-5608
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publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher American Physical Society
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series PRX Energy
spelling doaj-art-883afbf1b77b44588d808febdce56d5c2025-08-20T03:41:57ZengAmerican Physical SocietyPRX Energy2768-56082025-03-014101301310.1103/PRXEnergy.4.013013Electron-Phonon Renormalization in the Proton-Conducting Electrolyte BaZrO_{3} and Its Implications for High-Temperature ElectrolysisShenli ZhangAndrew J.E. RowbergTadashi OgitsuTuan Anh PhamJoel B. VarleyElectrical leakage is an inherent problem in solid-oxide fuel and electrolyzer cells, limiting their energy-conversion efficiency. High concentrations of electrons or holes can exacerbate this issue. However, it is largely unclear how the typical high operating temperatures of the systems influence their charge-carrier concentrations. In this work, we use first-principles calculations to examine how lattice vibrations impact electrical conductivity in conventional electrolytes, using BaZrO_{3} as a representative material. Our analysis shows that phonon-induced shifts in the band gap and band edges lead to a dramatic increase in p-type carrier concentrations at temperatures above 600 K, compared to models that neglect temperature effects. Additionally, we reveal the importance of oxygen-ion motion on band-edge positions, which makes valence-band-edge shift dominate the band-gap change. Our study provides a protocol for calculating phonon-induced changes in similar oxides, paving the way for interrogating electrical leakage in electrolytes for high-temperature operation.http://doi.org/10.1103/PRXEnergy.4.013013
spellingShingle Shenli Zhang
Andrew J.E. Rowberg
Tadashi Ogitsu
Tuan Anh Pham
Joel B. Varley
Electron-Phonon Renormalization in the Proton-Conducting Electrolyte BaZrO_{3} and Its Implications for High-Temperature Electrolysis
PRX Energy
title Electron-Phonon Renormalization in the Proton-Conducting Electrolyte BaZrO_{3} and Its Implications for High-Temperature Electrolysis
title_full Electron-Phonon Renormalization in the Proton-Conducting Electrolyte BaZrO_{3} and Its Implications for High-Temperature Electrolysis
title_fullStr Electron-Phonon Renormalization in the Proton-Conducting Electrolyte BaZrO_{3} and Its Implications for High-Temperature Electrolysis
title_full_unstemmed Electron-Phonon Renormalization in the Proton-Conducting Electrolyte BaZrO_{3} and Its Implications for High-Temperature Electrolysis
title_short Electron-Phonon Renormalization in the Proton-Conducting Electrolyte BaZrO_{3} and Its Implications for High-Temperature Electrolysis
title_sort electron phonon renormalization in the proton conducting electrolyte bazro 3 and its implications for high temperature electrolysis
url http://doi.org/10.1103/PRXEnergy.4.013013
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