AJFC obtained his B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Seville (Spain) in 2009, followed by an M.S. degree in Materials Science in 2011 and a Ph.D. degree in Materials Science in 2014, both from the same university, under the supervision of A. Becerro. After completing his Ph.D., he worked as a postdoctoral fellow at the CEMHTI laboratory (CNRS-Orleans, France) for 2 years under the guidance of M. Allix and C. Bessada. He then conducted research as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Limoges (Limoges, France) for one year (with G. Delaizir). In 2018, he joined Guilin University of Technology to conduct research in Prof. X. Kuang’s laboratory. His research interests broadly lie in the solid-state chemistry of metal-oxide ceramics with electrical (ion conductors) or optical (transparent ceramics and phosphors) properties.

Oxide Ion-Conducting Materials Containing Tetrahedral Moieties: Crystal Structures and Conduction Mechanisms

Solid-state oxide ion conductors are key for technology applications, particularly in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) where they enable efficient conversion of chemical energy into electricity. To achieve high current densities and oxide ion conductivity for SOFCs, materials with oxide ion conductivities above 10-2 S cm-1 at intermediate temperatures (500-600°C) are required. High oxide ion mobility depends on specific crystal structural features, with oxide ion conduction occurring through defects like vacancies or interstitials in crystalline materials. Thus, understanding the stabilization of these defects and the underlying mechanisms of oxide ion conduction is crucial for designing new materials that can operate at lower temperatures.
In this contribution, I will present a set of ion-conducting compounds that contain tetrahedral moieties in their crystal structure. The interest in these compounds lies in the flexibility of tetrahedral units, which promotes oxide ion transportation. Emphasis will be devoted to examining these materials and gaining a comprehensive understanding of the role of tetrahedral units in oxide ion migration. This understanding is essential for revealing prospects for enhanced electrolytes in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) and related devices. This endeavour will provide insights into the critical factors driving rapid oxide ion conduction