The local structure of SOFC materials investigated by X-Ray absorption spectroscopy

This chapter is devoted to the analysis of the local atomic structure of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) electrolyte and electrode materials. Among the experimental techniques able to provide information about the local structure of materials, the X-ray absorption spectroscopy has the peculiarity of element selectivity, allowing to investigate the chemical environment of specific atoms embedded in a matrix. Solid oxide electrolytes allow the conduction of ionic charge carriers between the electrodes of a SOFC device; the mechanism of ion conduction depends on the type of carrier, and it is finely tuned-or even only possible-if the solid matrix is suitably tailored by insertion of doping specie…