KWATI LEONARD
Organization
International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research Advanced Energy Conversion Systems Thrust Associate Professor
Graduate School of Engineering Department of Hydrogen Energy Systems（Concurrent）
Title
Associate Professor
Contact information
Tel
0928026863
Profile
Energy conversion, Hydrogen production, Processing and upscaling, Triple conducting air electrode materials.
External link
ORCID
Research Areas
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Nanotechnology/Materials / Functional solid state chemistry
Degree
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Ph.D.
Research Interests・Research Keywords
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Research theme： Development and upscaling of highly efficient solid oxide protonic cells (PCEC/PCFCs). Development/engineering of proton transport in air electrodes
Keyword： Ceramic proton conductors, steam electrolysis, Hydrogen production, fuel cells, air electrode, catalytic activity
Research period： 2019.4 - 2026.3
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Research theme： Development and upscaling of highly efficient solid oxide protonic cells (PCEC/PCFCs). Development/engineering of proton transport in air electrodes
Keyword： Energy conversion,Hydrogen production, Processing and upscaling, Triple conducting electrode
Research period： 2013.4 - Present
Papers
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Toward highly efficient protonic electrolysis cells for large-scale hydrogen production at moderate temperatures Reviewed International coauthorship International journal
Leonard Kwati, Kuninori Miyazaki, Christian Dellen, Wilhelm A. Meulenberg, Tatsumi Ishihara, Hiroshige Matsumoto
Materials Advances 6 ( 2025 ) 3253 - 3263 2025.4
Presentations
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Processing and challenges in scaling up ceramic protonic membranes for electrochemical energy (PCEC/PCFC) Invited International coauthorship International conference
Leonard Kwati
16th Pacific Rim Conference on Ceramic and Glass Technology 2025.5 Ceramic society of America, China, Japan and Canada
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Challenges and perspectives of proton conducting solid oxide for energy conversion and storage Invited International coauthorship International conference
Leonard Kwati
9th International Conference on Material Engineering and Manufacturing (ICMEM 2025) 2025.3 International Conference on Material Engineering and Manufacturing
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Processed Ceramic Protonic Membranes with Optimized Electrode/Electrolyte Interface (PCEC/PCFC). Invited International coauthorship International conference
Leonard Kwati
24th International Conference on Solid State Ionics London, UK, 15-19 July 2024 2024.7 International Conference on Solid State Ionic
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Ceramic protonic Fuel Cell and Electrolyser with Optimised Electrolyte/Electrode Interface, International coauthorship International conference
Leonard Kwati
7th International Workshop on Prospects on Protonic Ceramic Cells, PPCC Dijon France 2024.6
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Triple Conducting Oxides as Positrodes for Proton-Conducting Solid Oxide Electrochemical Devices Invited International conference
*Leonard Kwati, Aleksandar Staykov, Paulo Wiff, Yuji Okuyama, Hiroshige Matsumoto
15th Pacific Rim Conference of Ceramic Societies (PACRIM15)， 2023.5
Research Projects
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プロトン伝導性高性能水蒸気電解セルの開発と電解特性向上/Development of high-performance proton-conducting steam electrolysis cells and improvement of electrolysis characteristics International coauthorship
2019.4 - 2025.3
NEDO International Japan
Authorship：Collaborating Investigator(s) (not designated on Grant-in-Aid)
Ceramic proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells and electrolyzers (PCEC/PCFCs) are not just promising technologies; they are the future of sustainable energy generation and storage. The interest in this class of material stems from its high ionic conductivity and inherent advantages in the gas flow configuration over traditional solid oxide cells, in which the electrolyte is an oxygen ion conductor [1]. Despite these many advantages, processing and scaling up such electrolytes for industrial purposes poses several challenges. However, our ongoing research is poised to overcome these challenges and revolutionize the field.
As part of our ongoing international research collaboration between WPI-I2CNER Kyushu University and IEK-1, JUELICH, we have uncovered some truly novel findings. Firstly, we have demonstrated an effective tape-casting route that produces flat, planar protonic electrolysis half-cells with impressive dimensions of up to 100 mm ⅹ 100 mm ⅹ 0.5 mm. The half-cells are constructed using NiO-SrZr0.5Ce0.4Y0.1O3-δ as the substrate, ensuring minimal warping and no cracks in the end-fired state and substantially promoting the half-cell's sintering activity at 1300 °C [2-5]. The electrolyte is gas-tight with a He leakage rate well within the threshold necessary for cell operation (~5 × 10–5 hPa dm3 (s cm2)–1). Secondly, Using Ba0.5La0.5CoO3−δ as the air electrode demonstrates remarkable capabilities and endurance within the 450-600°C temperature range, achieving a power density of 1.0 W cm-2 at 0.7 V in the fuel cell mode and a high current density of 1.5 A cm-2 at 1.3 V in the electrolysis mode while maintaining reasonable Faradaic efficiencies (80-90 %) at 600 oC respectively. Finally, using a combination of SEM-EDX, Raman spectroscopy, and Atom probe tomography, we found that upon sintering above 1350 °C, the electrolyte material undergoes evident structural changes with new defects that affect the perovskite host. These results not only provide new insights but also pave the way for low-cost fabrication of large-sized reversible protonic electrolysis cells. -
Development of efficient low-cost SOFC/SOEC protonic cathodes for reliable energy distribution
Grant number：19K05672 2019 - 2021
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
Authorship：Principal investigator Grant type：Scientific research funding
Educational Activities
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Hydrogen Production Process
Introduction to Hydrogen Engineering
Hydrogen Energy Engineering
Advanced Energy Engineering Ⅱ
Other educational activity and Special note
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2024 Coaching of Students' Association N/A