Ceria based materials are capable of achieving remarkably high vacancy concentrations at elevated temperatures and low oxygen partial pressures. As a result, these materials are attractive as reactive intermediates in thermochemical redox cycles for the production of solar fuels. In this study we have investigated the effect of doping ceria with HfO2, ZrO2, and Sc2O3, all of which are well known to have an effect on the degree of reduction, but whose oxidation properties are less understood. The reduction extent of HfO2 and ZrO2 based solutions at 1500 �C in an Ar atmosphere is greater compared to both pure CeO2 and Sc2O3 solutions and an increase in their concentration up to 15% resulted in a nearly linear increase in the reduction extent. Of all the materials considered 10% HfO2 resulted in the greatest yields and may be considered a promising target to study in more detail for its suitability as a thermochemical redox material.

Experimental investigation of hafnium, zirconium, and scandium oxide dopants for ceria-based thermochemical fuel production

244th National Meeting (2012)

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