Rate My Professor Mait Ainsar

Mait Ainsar is a Junior Research Fellow of Physical Chemistry at the Institute of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Tartu, holding a 0.5 position. He earned his Master's degree in Chemistry from the University of Tartu in 2022. His academic background includes Chemistry studies at the University of Tartu starting from 2015, with MSc from 31 August 2015 to 20 June 2019 and PhD studies from 2 September 2019 to 21 June 2022. Currently affiliated with the Chair of Physical Chemistry, Ainsar conducts research in the field of electrochemistry, focusing on solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC). His work centers on mixed ionic-electronic conducting perovskite materials, particularly thin film La_0.31Sr_0.58Ti_0.97Ni_0.03O_3-δ (LSTN) anodes.

In the publication 'DEVELOPMENT of La_0.31Sr_0.58Ti_0.97Ni_0.03O_3-δ THIN FILM SOFC MODEL ELECTRODES' (2023), Ainsar led the study using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) at 650 °C on LSTN electrodes with and without Pt current collectors on 10Sc1CeSZ electrolyte. The research demonstrated that embedded Pt serves as the most active component, with the LSTN layer stabilizing Pt-electrolyte contact and preventing grain growth. At the BEChem2024 conference, he presented 'EIS characterization of La_0.31Sr_0.58Ti_0.97Ni_0.03O_3-δ thin film model SOFC electrodes' (2024), analyzing impedance spectra under varying H₂O concentrations and anodic polarization up to +0.4 V. Key findings included size-dependent high-frequency features due to chemical capacitance and electronic conductivity limitations, a minimum polarization resistance at 0.3 V linked to Ni exsolution, and stable chemical capacitance. Ainsar co-authored 'In situ NAP-XPS and electrochemical impedance characterisation of La_0.31Sr_0.58Ti_0.97Ni_0.03O_3-δ thin film model electrodes' (2025, Journal of Power Sources), 'Electrochemical Study of La_0.31Sr_0.58Ti_0.97Ni_0.03O_3-δ Thin Film Model SOFC Electrodes' (2023, ECS Transactions), 'Electrochemical activation of La_0.31Sr_0.58Ti_0.97Ni_0.03O_3-δ SOFC Thin Film Electrodes' (2025), and others, totaling 8 publications listed in ETIS. His contributions advance understanding of SOFC anode performance at lower temperatures for sustainable energy applications.