A research collaboration conducted by two research teams of Shanghai Jiao Tong University Global College (SJTUGC, abbreviated as GC), led by Associate Professor Qianli Chen and Associate Professor Wenjie Wan respectively, has published new findings in the international journal Nature Communications. The paper, titled “Mid-infrared light resonance-enhanced proton conductivity in ceramics”, provides the first experimental evidence that mid-infrared light can selectively excite specific atomic vibration modes in ceramic fuel cell electrolyte materials, thereby enhancing their proton conductivity.
The researchers also proposed using mid-infrared light of specific wavelengths as an energy-efficient approach to improve the performance of medium and high-temperature solid-state energy devices such as fuel cells and electrolysis cells. The discovery offers new insights into ion conduction mechanisms and points to innovative strategies for reducing energy consumption and operating costs in clean energy applications.
Ph.D. student Haobo Li is the first author of the paper, while Qianli Chen and Wenjie Wan are the corresponding authors. Other contributors include Ph.D. students Yicheng Zhu, Zihan Zhao, Ruixin Ma, and Jiachen Lu.
Ion conduction is the core process of solid-state energy conversion and storage devices such as ceramic fuel cells, electrolysis cells, and solid-state batteries. These devices play a crucial role in clean energy conversion, storage, and the production of high-value chemicals. Enhancing the ionic conductivity of key solid-state energy materials remains a major challenge, as it is critical to reducing energy consumption and operating costs while broadening their application scope. Recent studies suggest that selectively exciting local vibrational modes related to ion migration may serve as a new strategy to promote ion transport. However, direct experimental evidence demonstrating improved macroscopic ionic conductivity through such excitation has been limited, and practical methods remain unclear.
Addressing this challenge, the research team discovered that mid-infrared light can selectively excite specific atomic vibration modes in materials and enhance ion conductivity. They clarified the underlying mechanism linking mid-infrared light, atomic vibrations, and ion transport, and proposed an energy-efficient strategy for optimizing the performance of medium- and high-temperature solid-state energy devices: tuning atomic vibrational modes associated with ion migration through mid-infrared light of specific wavelengths.
Addressing this challenge, the research team discovered that mid-infrared light can selectively excite specific atomic vibration modes in materials and enhance ion conductivity. They clarified the underlying mechanism linking mid-infrared light, atomic vibrations, and ion transport, and proposed an energy-efficient strategy for optimizing the performance of medium- and high-temperature solid-state energy devices: tuning atomic vibrational modes associated with ion migration through mid-infrared light of specific wavelengths.
The study first focused on yttrium-doped barium zirconate, a typical proton-conducting electrolyte. Using mid-infrared light with a wavelength resonant with the O–H stretching vibration closely related to proton transport, the researchers observed a 36–53% increase in proton conductivity at a light intensity of 195 mW cm–2. They further found that the conductivity enhancement under mid-infrared illumination was 2–3 times greater than that caused by heating under the same power density, indicating higher energy efficiency. Narrow-band filtering experiments demonstrated that resonance between mid-infrared light and the O–H stretching vibration led to even more significant enhancement.
The analysis revealed that the O–H stretching vibrational mode, when resonantly excited by mid-infrared light, interacts with lattice vibrations to flatten the potential energy landscape for proton migration, thereby lowering the migration barrier and facilitating proton transport. Based on this, the paper proposes using mid-infrared light of specific wavelengths as an energy-saving method to optimize the performance of medium- and high-temperature solid-state energy devices. This approach could potentially increase the electrolysis yield of electrolysis cells, boost the power density of fuel cells, and reduce startup time, operating temperature, and thermal stress. The findings provide important guidance for research on ion conduction mechanisms and open new pathways for developing low-cost, low-power, low-temperature, and fast-startup devices.
The research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Shanghai Science and Technology Commission.
Haobo Li
Ph.D. candidate, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Global College
His research focuses on proton transport mechanisms in ceramic materials. He has published related findings as first author in Nature Communications and other leading journals. He has been recognized as an “SJTU Outstanding Student” and awarded the Yadong Scholarship.
Qianli Chen
Associate Professor and Ph.D. Supervisor, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Global College
Her research centers on proton transport mechanisms in ceramics. By applying advanced spectroscopic characterization methods, she explores the physicochemical mechanisms that determine material performance and develops new approaches to optimize devices such as ceramic fuel cells and electrolysis cells. She has been selected as a Humboldt Scholar in Germany, included in the Shanghai Sailing Program, and received the Young Scientist Award from the Swiss Neutron Scattering Society. Her research has been published in Nature Communications, Chemical Reviews, Advanced Energy Materials, and other well-known journals. Publications: Research outcomes published in Nature Communications, Chemical Reviews, Advanced Energy Materials, and other renowned journals.
