Worldwide, hydrogen is gaining ground since it is a promising alternative energy source to conventional fuels, which include fossil fuel. Thus, numerous techniques to generate hydrogen have been suggested. This literature review describes the challenges and obstacles identified through a series of the publications that target the hydrolysis of sodium borohydride. This review present several catalysts and reactor systems for the generation of hydrogen gas using the hydrolysis of sodium borohydride, selecting articles in the literature that show a promising future for this technology, although some challenges lie ahead. Sodium borohydride has been widely considered as a low-cost hydrogen storage material with high gravimetric hydrogen capacity of about 10 wt.%. However, its thermodynamic stability seriously hinders the application of sodium borohydride to obtain hydrogen. The performances of the reviewed systems of sodium borohydride hydrolysis include analysis from both the thermodynamic and kinetic points of view. The feasibility of an efficient hydrogen generation system, where a mixture of sodium borohydride and catalysts is hydrolyzed, is considered. This review aims to provide a useful resource to aid researchers starting work on the generation of hydrogen gas using the hydrolysis of sodium borohydride, so they can select the catalysts and reactor systems that best suit them. Thus far, no single catalyst and reactor system can simultaneously meet all of the required standards for efficient practical applications.

Lanthanum cobaltite (LaCoO3) perovskite-type oxide is an important conductive ceramic material finding a broad range of technical applications. Physical and chemical properties of the final lanthanum cobalt oxide powder material obtained are strongly dependent on the method of preparation. Taking in account these considerations, we focus our investigation on the solid state reaction process. The characterization of prepared lanthanum cobalt oxide material was studied by using X-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetry-differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC), and conduction properties. Following the experimental results, it can be concluded that with proper improvement, the solid state reaction process may also provide an efficient preparation method for perovskite-type LaCoO3 powder. Important to mention is that we looked into the aspects to produce again same which showed consistently reproducibility of batch to batch powder properties. This is a key factor to overcome a successful commercialization of new material synthesis development.

The role of energy in modern society is fundamental. Constraints due to the emissions of air pollutants from the excessive use of fossil fuels have increased dramatically in the last years. Over the years various devices and systems have been developed to transform energy from forms supplied by nature to forms that can be used by people. Another issue is to absorb energy generated at one time and to discharge it to supply power at a later time, what is called energy storage. This is also a matter to focus when it comes to searching for solutions of energy problems. Perovskites are promising key materials for energy applications, and in this chapter is a literature review summarizing the reported progress in energy applications of perovskite-type ceramic materials. To understand the fundamental nature of structure–property relationships, defect chemistry plays an important role. This paper, a mini-review, briefly describes from available literature and summarizes accordingly. It is focused on perovskite crystal structures, perovskite materials for solid oxide fuel cells, perovskite electrocatalyst and photocatalysts, and perovskite transport features.

Perovskite LaCoO ${}_3$ materials have various applications, from selective permeable membranes and gas sensing devices to water splitting applications. However, the intrinsic electrical resistivity of the perovskite limits the applicative potential. To overcome that, Ag powder was used with LaCoO ${}_3$ to obtain porous composite electrodes with enhanced conductivities. For that, a series of composite Ag-LaCoO ${}_3$ powders were prepared into pellets and pre-sintered at various temperatures up to 1000 ${}^{\circ }$ C. Their structural properties and morphology were investigated by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The electronic transport of compacted specimens was studied by impedance spectroscopy. The results indicate that the presence of Ag acts as pre-sintering additive to obtain porous electrodes, with porosity values as high as 40% at 50 vol. % Ag. Moreover, the overall electrical resistivity of the composite electrodes varied well over four orders of magnitude. The results are discussed within the generalized Bruggeman theory for effective media comprising arbitrarily shaped metallic and semiconducting inclusions.

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) and solid oxide electrolyzer cells (SOECs) represent a promising clean energy solution. In the case of SOFCs, they offer efficiency and minimal to zero CO₂ emissions when used to convert chemical energy into electricity. When SOFC systems are operated in regenerative mode for water electrolysis, the SOFCs become solid oxide electrolyzer cells (SOECs). The problem with these systems is the supply and availability of raw materials for SOFC and SOEC components. This raises significant economic challenges and has an impact on the price and scalability of these technologies. Recycling the materials that make up these systems can alleviate these economic challenges by reducing dependence on the supply of raw materials and reducing overall costs. From this point of view, this work is a perspective analysis and examines the current research on the recycling of SOFC and SOEC materials, highlighting the potential paths towards a circular economy. The existing literature on different approaches to recycling the key materials for components of SOFCs and SOECs is important. Mechanical separation techniques to isolate these components, along with potential strategies like chemical leaching or hydrometallurgical and material characterization, to ensure the quality of recycled materials for reuse in new SOFCs and SOECs are important as well. By evaluating the efficiency of various methods and the quality of recovered materials, this study aims to provide valuable insights for advancing sustainable and economically viable SOFC and SOEC technologies within a net-zero economic framework.