Advanced anodes for high-temperature fuel cells

Electrocatalysis in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells and Electrolyzers

Interest in energy-to-X and X-to-energy (where X represents green hydrogen, carbon-based fuels, or ammonia) technologies has expanded the field of electrochemical conversion and storage. Solid oxide electrochemical cells (SOCs) are among the most promising technologies for these processes. Their unmatched conversion efficiencies result from favorable thermodynamics and kinetics at elevated operating temperatures (400-900 °C). These solid-state electrochemical systems exhibit flexibility in reversible operation between fuel cell and electrolysis modes and can efficiently utilize a variety of fuels. However, electrocatalytic materials at SOC electrodes remain nonoptimal for facilitating reversible operation and fuel flexibility. In this Review, we explore the diverse range of electrocatalytic materials utilized in oxygen-ion-conducting SOCs (O-SOCs) and proton-conducting SOCs (H-SOCs). We examine their electrochemical activity as a function of composition and structure across different electrochemical reactions to highlight characteristics that lead to optimal catalytic performance. Catalyst deactivation mechanisms under different operating conditions are discussed to assess the bottlenecks in performance. We conclude by providing guidelines for evaluating the electrochemical performance of electrode catalysts in SOCs and for designing effective catalysts to achieve flexibility in fuel usage and mode of operation.

The Enigma of Methanol Synthesis by Cu/ZnO/Al2O3-Based Catalysts

The activity and durability of the Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 (CZA) catalyst formulation for methanol synthesis from CO/CO2/H2 feeds far exceed the sum of its individual components. As such, this ternary catalytic system is a prime example of synergy in catalysis, one that has been employed for the large scale commercial production of methanol since its inception in the mid 1960s with precious little alteration to its original formulation. Methanol is a key building block of the chemical industry. It is also an attractive energy storage molecule, which can also be produced from CO2 and H2 alone, making efficient use of sequestered CO2. As such, this somewhat unusual catalyst formulation has an enormous role to play in the modern chemical industry and the world of global economics, to which the correspondingly voluminous and ongoing research, which began in the 1920s, attests. Yet, despite this commercial success, and while research aimed at understanding how this formulation functions has continued throughout the decades, a comprehensive and universally agreed upon understanding of how this material achieves what it does has yet to be realized. After nigh on a century of research into CZA catalysts, the purpose of this Review is to appraise what has been achieved to date, and to show how, and how far, the field has evolved. To do so, this Review evaluates the research regarding this catalyst formulation in a chronological order and critically assesses the validity and novelty of various hypotheses and claims that have been made over the years. Ultimately, the Review attempts to derive a holistic summary of what the current body of literature tells us about the fundamental sources of the synergies at work within the CZA catalyst and, from this, suggest ways in which the field may yet be further advanced.

Rational Design of Ruddlesden-Popper Perovskite Ferrites as Air Electrode for Highly Active and Durable Reversible Protonic Ceramic Cells

Reversible protonic ceramic cells (RePCCs) hold promise for efficient energy storage, but their practicality is hindered by a lack of high-performance air electrode materials. Ruddlesden-Popper perovskite Sr3Fe2O7-δ (SF) exhibits superior proton uptake and rapid ionic conduction, boosting activity. However, excessive proton uptake during RePCC operation degrades SF's crystal structure, impacting durability. This study introduces a novel A/B-sites co-substitution strategy for modifying air electrodes, incorporating Sr-deficiency and Nb-substitution to create Sr2.8Fe1.8Nb0.2O7-δ (D-SFN). Nb stabilizes SF's crystal, curbing excessive phase formation, and Sr-deficiency boosts oxygen vacancy concentration, optimizing oxygen transport. The D-SFN electrode demonstrates outstanding activity and durability, achieving a peak power density of 596 mW cm-2 in fuel cell mode and a current density of - 1.19 A cm-2 in electrolysis mode at 1.3 V, 650 °C, with excellent cycling durability. This approach holds the potential for advancing robust and efficient air electrodes in RePCCs for renewable energy storage.

Antiferroelectricity-Induced Negative Thermal Expansion in Double Perovskite Pb2 CoMoO6

Materials with negative thermal expansion (NTE) attract significant research attention owing to their unique physical properties and promising applications. Although ferroelectric phase transitions leading to NTE are widely investigated, information on antiferroelectricity-induced NTE remains limited. In this study, single-crystal and polycrystalline Pb2 CoMoO6 samples are prepared at high pressure and temperature conditions. The compound crystallizes into an antiferroelectric Pnma orthorhombic double perovskite structure at room temperature owing to the opposite displacements dominated by Pb2+ ions. With increasing temperature to 400 K, a structural phase transition to cubic Fm-3m paraelectric phase occurs, accompanied by a sharp volume contraction of 0.41%. This is the first report of an antiferroelectric-to-paraelectric transition-induced NTE in Pb2 CoMoO6 . Moreover, the compound also exhibits remarkable NTE with an average volumetric coefficient of thermal expansion αV = -1.33 × 10-5 K-1 in a wide temperature range of 30-420 K. The as-prepared Pb2 CoMoO6 thus serves as a prototype material system for studying antiferroelectricity-induced NTE.

SrTiO3-SrVO3 Ceramics for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Anodes: A Route from Oxidized Precursors

Perovskite-type Sr(Ti,V)O3-δ ceramics are promising anode materials for natural gas- and biogas-fueled solid oxide fuel cells, but the instability of these phases under oxidizing conditions complicates their practical application. The present work explores approaches to the fabrication of strontium titanate-vanadate electrodes from oxidized precursors. Porous ceramics with the nominal composition SrTi1-yVyOz (y = 0.1-0.3) were prepared in air via a solid state reaction route. Thermal processing at temperatures not exceeding 1100 °C yielded composite ceramics comprising perovskite-type SrTiO3, pyrovanadate Sr2V2O7 and orthovanadate Sr3(VO4)2 phases, while increasing firing temperatures to 1250-1440 °C enabled the formation of SrTi1-yVyO3 perovskites. Vanadium was found to substitute into the titanium sublattice predominantly as V4+, even under oxidizing conditions at elevated temperatures. Both perovskite and composite oxidized ceramics exhibit moderate thermal expansion coefficients in air, 11.1-12.1 ppm/K at 30-1000 °C, and insignificant dimensional changes induced by reduction in a 10%H2-N2 atmosphere. The electrical conductivity of reduced perovskite samples remains comparatively low, ~10-1 S/cm at 900 °C, whereas the transformation of oxidized vanadate phases into high-conducting SrVO3-δ perovskites upon reduction results in enhancement in conductivity, which reaches ~3 S/cm at 900 °C in porous composite ceramics with nominal composition SrTi0.7V0.3Oz. The electrical performance of the composite is expected to be further improved by optimization of the processing route and microstructure to facilitate the reduction of the oxidized precursor and attain better percolation of the SrVO3 phase.

Operando analysis of a solid oxide fuel cell by environmental transmission electron microscopy

Correlating the microstructure of an energy conversion device to its performance is often a complex exercise, notably in solid oxide fuel cell research. Solid oxide fuel cells combine multiple materials and interfaces that evolve in time due to high operating temperatures and reactive atmospheres. We demonstrate here that operando environmental transmission electron microscopy can identify structure-property links in such devices. By contacting a cathode-electrolyte-anode cell to a heating and biasing microelectromechanical system in a single-chamber configuration, a direct correlation is found between the environmental conditions (oxygen and hydrogen partial pressures, temperature), the cell open circuit voltage, and the microstructural evolution of the fuel cell, down to the atomic scale. The results shed important insights into the impact of the anode oxidation state and its morphology on the cell electrical properties.

Metal Oxide-Supported Metal Catalysts for Electrocatalytic Oxygen Reduction Reaction: Characterization Methods, Modulation Strategies, and Recent Progress

The sluggish kinetics of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) with complex multielectron transfer steps significantly limits the large-scale application of electrochemical energy devices, including metal-air batteries and fuel cells. Recent years witnessed the development of metal oxide-supported metal catalysts (MOSMCs), covering single atoms, clusters, and nanoparticles. As alternatives to conventional carbon-dispersed metal catalysts, MOSMCs are gaining increasing interest due to their unique electronic configuration and potentially high corrosion resistance. By engineering the metal oxide substrate, supported metal, and their interactions, MOSMCs can be facilely modulated. Significant progress has been made in advancing MOSMCs for ORR, and their further development warrants advanced characterization methods to better understand MOSMCs and precise modulation strategies to boost their functionalities. In this regard, a comprehensive review of MOSMCs for ORR is still lacking despite this fast-developing field. To eliminate this gap, advanced characterization methods are introduced for clarifying MOSMCs experimentally and theoretically, discuss critical methods of boosting their intrinsic activities and number of active sites, and systematically overview the status of MOSMCs based on different metal oxide substrates for ORR. By conveying methods, research status, critical challenges, and perspectives, this review will rationally promote the design of MOSMCs for electrochemical energy devices.

Development of Ni-Sr(V,Ti)O3-δ Fuel Electrodes for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

A series of strontium titanates-vanadates (STVN) with nominal cation composition Sr_1-xTi_1-y-zV_yNi_zO_3-δ (x = 0–0.04, y = 0.20–0.40 and z = 0.02–0.12) were prepared by a solid-state reaction route in 10% H₂–N₂ atmosphere and characterized under reducing conditions as potential fuel electrode materials for solid oxide fuel cells. Detailed phase evolution studies using XRD and SEM/EDS demonstrated that firing at temperatures as high as 1200 °C is required to eliminate undesirable secondary phases. Under such conditions, nickel tends to segregate as a metallic phase and is unlikely to incorporate into the perovskite lattice. Ceramic samples sintered at 1500 °C exhibited temperature-activated electrical conductivity that showed a weak p(O₂) dependence and increased with vanadium content, reaching a maximum of ~17 S/cm at 1000 °C. STVN ceramics showed moderate thermal expansion coefficients (12.5–14.3 ppm/K at 25–1100 °C) compatible with that of yttria-stabilized zirconia (8YSZ). Porous STVN electrodes on 8YSZ solid electrolytes were fabricated at 1100 °C and studied using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy at 700–900 °C in an atmosphere of diluted humidified H₂ under zero DC conditions. As-prepared STVN electrodes demonstrated comparatively poor electrochemical performance, which was attributed to insufficient intrinsic electrocatalytic activity and agglomeration of metallic nickel during the high-temperature synthetic procedure. Incorporation of an oxygen-ion-conducting Ce_0.9Gd_0.1O_2-δ phase (20–30 wt.%) and nano-sized Ni as electrocatalyst (≥1 wt.%) into the porous electrode structure via infiltration resulted in a substantial improvement in electrochemical activity and reduction of electrode polarization resistance by 6–8 times at 900 °C and ≥ one order of magnitude at 800 °C.

Inkjet Printing Infiltration of the Doped Ceria Interlayer in Commercial Anode-Supported SOFCs

Single-step inkjet printing infiltration with doped ceria Ce_0.9Ye_0.1O_1.95 (YDC) and cobalt oxide (Co_xO_y) precursor inks was performed in order to modify the properties of the doped ceria interlayer in commercial (50 × 50 × 0.5 mm³ size) anode-supported SOFCs. The penetration of the inks throughout the La_0.8Sr_0.2Co_0.5Fe_0.5O_3-δ porous cathode to the Gd_0.1Ce_0.9O₂ (GDC) interlayer was achieved by optimisation of the inks' rheology jetting parameters. The low-temperature calcination (750 °C) resulted in densification of the Gd-doped ceria porous interlayer as well as decoration of the cathode scaffold with nanoparticles (~20-50 nm in size). The I-V testing in pure hydrogen showed a maximum power density gain of ~20% at 700 °C and ~97% at 800 °C for the infiltrated cells. The latter effect was largely assigned to the improvement in the interfacial Ohmic resistance due to the densification of the interlayer. The EIS study of the polarisation losses of the reference and infiltrated cells revealed a reduction in the activation polarisations losses at 700 °C due to the nano-decoration of the La_0.8Sr_0.2Co_0.5Fe_0.5O_3-δ scaffold surface. Such was not the case at 800 °C, where the drop in Ohmic losses was dominant. This work demonstrated that single-step inkjet printing infiltration, a non-disruptive, low-cost technique, can produce significant and scalable performance enhancements in commercial anode-supported SOFCs.

Defect engineering of oxide perovskites for catalysis and energy storage: synthesis of chemistry and materials science

Oxide perovskites have emerged as an important class of materials with important applications in many technological areas, particularly thermocatalysis, electrocatalysis, photocatalysis, and energy storage. However, their implementation faces numerous challenges that are familiar to the chemist and materials scientist. The present work surveys the state-of-the-art by integrating these two viewpoints, focusing on the critical role that defect engineering plays in the design, fabrication, modification, and application of these materials. An extensive review of experimental and simulation studies of the synthesis and performance of oxide perovskites and devices containing these materials is coupled with exposition of the fundamental and applied aspects of defect equilibria. The aim of this approach is to elucidate how these issues can be integrated in order to shed light on the interpretation of the data and what trajectories are suggested by them. This critical examination has revealed a number of areas in which the review can provide a greater understanding. These include considerations of (1) the nature and formation of solid solutions, (2) site filling and stoichiometry, (3) the rationale for the design of defective oxide perovskites, and (4) the complex mechanisms of charge compensation and charge transfer. The review concludes with some proposed strategies to address the challenges in the future development of oxide perovskites and their applications.

An Overview on the Novel Core-Shell Electrodes for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) Using Polymeric Methodology

Lowering the interface charge transfer, ohmic and diffusion impedances are the main considerations to achieve an intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cell (ITSOFC). Those are determined by the electrode materials selection and manipulating the microstructures of electrodes. The composite electrodes are utilized by a variety of mixed and impregnation or infiltration methods to develop an efficient electrocatalytic anode and cathode. The progress of our proposed core-shell structure pre-formed during the preparation of electrode particles compared with functional layer and repeated impregnation by capillary action. The core-shell process possibly prevented the electrocatalysis decrease, hindering and even blocking the fuel gas path through the porous electrode structure due to the serious agglomeration of impregnated particles. A small amount of shell nanoparticles can form a continuous charge transport pathway and increase the electronic and ionic conductivity of the electrode. The triple-phase boundaries (TPBs) area and electrode electrocatalytic activity are then improved. The core-shell anode SLTN-LSBC and cathode BSF-LC configuration of the present report effectively improve the thermal stability by avoiding further sintering and thermomechanical stress due to the thermal expansion coefficient matching with the electrolyte. Only the half-cell consisting of 2.75 μm thickness thin electrolyte iLSBC with pseudo-core-shell anode LST could provide a peak power of 325 mW/cm² at 700 °C, which is comparable to other reference full cells’ performance at 650 °C. Then, the core-shell electrodes preparation by simple chelating solution and cost-effective one process has a potential enhancement of full cell electrochemical performance. Additionally, it is expected to apply for double ions (H⁺ and O²⁻) conducting cells at low temperature.

Tailoring Electrochemical Performance of Perovskite Anodes through In Situ Exsolution of Nanocatalysts

Perovskites are promising alternative materials for conventional Ni-based cermet anodes, benefitting from their mixed ionic and electronic conductivity properties and good structure stability. However, they generally show a commonplace electrochemical catalytic activity. Here, a novel anode material La_0.52Sr_0.28Ti_0.8Co_0.1Fe_0.1O_3-δ (LSTCF) is successfully synthesized, and we report that the electrochemical performance of LSTCF can be commendably tuned by gas treatment, deriving from the exsolution of the impressively well-distributed Co-Fe alloy nanocatalyst with splendid catalytic activity for hydrogen electrochemical oxidation. At 900 °C, a power density value of 897 mW cm^-2 is achieved by the treated LSTCF anode when using hydrogen as fuel, which is almost three times higher than that of the fresh anode. Moreover, we show that the nanoparticle-modified LSTCF perovskite also exhibits fascinating electrochemical catalytic activity at low temperatures.

Activation Strategies of Perovskite-Type Structure for Applications in Oxygen-Related Electrocatalysts

The oxygen-related electrochemical process, including the oxygen evolution reaction and oxygen reduction reaction, is usually a kinetically sluggish reaction and thus dominates the whole efficiency of energy storage and conversion devices. Owing to the dominant role of the oxygen-related electrochemical process in the development of electrochemical energy, an abundance of oxygen-related electrocatalysts is discovered. Among them, perovskite-type materials with flexible crystal and electronic structures have been researched for a long time. However, most perovskite materials still show low intrinsic activity, which highlights the importance of activation strategies for perovskite-type structures to improve their intrinsic activity. In this review, the recent progress of the activation strategies for perovskite-type structures is summarized and their related applications in oxygen-related electrocatalysis reactions, including electrochemistry water splitting, metal-air batteries, and solid oxide fuel cells are discussed. Furthermore, the existing challenges and the future perspectives for the designing of ideal perovskite-type structure catalysts are proposed and discussed.

High-Performance-Based Perovskite-Supported Nanocomposite for the Development of Green Energy Device Applications: An Overview

Perovskite-based electrode catalysts are the most promising potential candidate that could bring about remarkable scientific advances in widespread renewable energy-storage devices, especially supercapacitors, batteries, fuel cells, solid oxide fuel cells, and solar-cell applications. This review demonstrated that perovskite composites are used as advanced electrode materials for efficient energy-storage-device development with different working principles and various available electrochemical technologies. Research efforts on increasing energy-storage efficiency, a wide range of electro-active constituents, and a longer lifetime of the various perovskite materials are discussed in this review. Furthermore, this review describes the prospects, widespread available materials, properties, synthesis strategies, uses of perovskite-supported materials, and our views on future perspectives of high-performance, next-generation sustainable-energy technology.

Robust Anode-Supported Cells with Fast Oxygen Release Channels for Efficient and Stable CO2 Electrolysis at Ultrahigh Current Densities

High-temperature electrolysis using solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) provides a promising way for the storage of renewable energy into chemical fuels. During the past, nickel-based cathode-supported thin-film electrolyte configuration was widely adopted. However, such cells suffer from the serious challenge of anode delamination at high electrolysis currents due to enormous gaseous oxygen formation at the anode-electrolyte interface with insufficient adhesion caused by low sintering temperatures for ensuring high anode porosity and cathode pulverization because of potential nickel redox reaction. Here, the authors propose, fabricate, and test asymmetric thick anode-supported SOECs with firm anode-electrolyte interface and graded anode gas diffusion channel for realizing efficient and stable electrolysis at ultrahigh currents. Such a specially structured anode allows the co-sintering of anode support and electrolyte at high temperatures to form strong interface adhesion while suppressing anode sintering. The mixed oxygen-ion and electron conducting anode with graded channel structure provides a fast oxygen release pathway, large anode surface for oxygen evolution reaction, and excellent support for depositing nanocatalysts, to further improve oxygen evolution activity. As a result, the as-prepared cells demonstrate both high performance, comparable or even higher than state-of-the-art cathode-supported SOECs, and outstanding stability at a record current density of 2.5 A cm^-2 .

Enhanced Anode Performance and Coking Resistance by In Situ Exsolved Multiple-Twinned Co-Fe Nanoparticles for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

The broad and large-scale application of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) technology hinges significantly on the development of highly active and robust electrode materials. Here, Ni-free anode materials decorated with metal nanoparticles are synthesized by in situ reduction of Fe-doping Sr₂CoMo_1-xFe_xO_6-δ (x = 0, 0.05, 0.1) double perovskite oxides under a reducing condition at 850 °C. The exsolved nanoparticles from the Sr₂CoMo_0.95Fe_0.05O_6-δ (SCMF0.05) lattice are Co-Fe alloys with rich multiple-twinned defects, significantly enhancing the catalytic activity of the SCMF0.05 anode toward the oxidation of H₂ and CH₄. The electrolyte-supported single cell with the reuduced SCMF0.05 anode reaches peak power densities as high as 992.9 and 652.3 mW cm^-2 in H₂ and CH₄ at 850 °C, respectively, while maintaining superior stability (∼50 h at 700 °C). The reduced SCMF0.05 anode also demonstrates excellent coking resistance in CH₄, which can be attributed to the increased oxygen vacancies due to Fe doping and the effective catalysis of multiple-twinned Co-Fe alloy nanoparticles for reforming of CH₄ to H₂ and CO. The findings in this work may provide a new insight for the design of highly active and durable anode catalysts in SOFCs.

Development of advanced materials for cleaner energy generation through fuel cells

The use of fuel cells in the transportation sector holds promise as a sustainable option for the generation of cleaner energy along with cumulative lesser GHG emissions.

Enhanced NOx removal efficiency for SCR catalyst of well-dispersed Mn-Ce nanoparticles on hexagonal boron nitride

This research is conducted to improve the dispersion of MnO_x-CeO₂ catalyst because manganese is easily aggregated during continuous thermal environment at operating temperature. Aggregated MnO_x particles on the support can be a major reason to degrade the catalyst performance. Therefore, the improved dispersion of MnO_x particles leads to the enhancement of the catalyst performance by utilizing hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) which is well known as thermally stable material. Due to the dispersion of MnO_x-CeO₂ with 5-20 nm particle size, h-BN-supported MnO_x-CeO₂ catalyst shows the 93% efficiency in NO_x removal at 200 °C. The structure and properties of MnO_x-CeO₂/h-BN catalyst are characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectra, and NH₃-temperature programmed desorption. Then, NO_x removal efficiency of catalyst is evaluated on a fixed bed reactor and h-BN-supported catalyst, (Mn_0.2-Ce_0.1)/BN, increases NO_x removal efficiency up to 20% at 200 °C in spite of 2/3 reduced content of MnO_x-CeO₂ compared to no-supported catalyst (Mn_0.3-Ce_0.15).

Negative thermal expansion of Cu2O studied by quasi-harmonic approximation and cubic force-constant method

Cubic cuprous oxide, Cu₂O, is characterized by a peculiar structural response to temperature: it shows a relatively large negative thermal expansion below 250 K, then followed by a positive thermal expansion at higher temperatures. The two branches of its thermal expansion (negative and positive) are almost perfectly symmetric at low temperatures, with the minimum of its lattice parameter at about 250 K and with the lattice parameter at 500 K almost coinciding with that at 0 K. We perform lattice-dynamical quantum-mechanical calculations to investigate the thermal expansion of Cu₂O. Phonon mode-specific Grüneisen parameters are computed, which allows us to identify different spectral regions of atomic vibrations responsible for the two distinct regimes of thermal expansion. Two different computational approaches are explored, their results compared, and their numerical aspects critically assessed: a well-established method based on the quasiharmonic approximation, where harmonic frequencies are computed at different lattice volumes, and an alternative approach, where quadratic and cubic interatomic force-constants are computed at a single volume. The latter scheme has only recently become computationally feasible in the context of lattice thermal conductivity simulations. When proper numerical parameters are used (phonon sampling, tolerances, etc.), the two approaches are here shown to provide a very consistent description, yet at a rather different computational cost. All of the experimentally observed features of the complex thermal expansion of Cu₂O are correctly reproduced up to 500 K, with a slight overall underestimation of the volume contraction.

Hierarchical dual-porosity nanoscale nickel cermet electrode with high performance and stability

Nano-structured metal-ceramic materials have attracted attention to improve performance in energy conversion applications. However, they have poor long-term stability at elevated temperatures due to coarsening of the metal nanoparticles. In this work we show that this can be mitigated by a novel design of the nano-structure of Ni cermet fuel electrodes for solid oxide cells. The strategy is to create a dual porosity microstructure, without the use of fugitive pore-formers, with micron-size pores to facilitate gas transport and nanoscale pores to control nano-particle coarsening. This has been achieved using a continuous hydrothermal synthesis and two-stage heat treatments to produce electrodes with micron size agglomerates of nano-structured porous Ni-Yttria-Stabilised-Zirconia (YSZ). This unique hierarchical microstructure combines enhanced electrochemical reaction in the high activity (triple phase boundary density 11 μm-2) nanoscale regions with faster gas diffusion in the micron-sized pores. The electrodes are aged at 800 °C in humidified 5% H2-N2 for up to 600 h. The electrochemical reaction resistance is initially 0.17 Ω cm2 but later reaches a steady long-term value of 0.15 Ω cm2. 3-D reconstruction of the electrodes after 10 h and 100 h of ageing reveals an increase in YSZ network connectivity and TPB percolation. This improvement is well-correlated to the 3-D tomography parameters using a physical model adapted from mixed conducting SOC air electrodes, which is also supported, for the first time, by numerical simulations of the microstructural evolution. These also reveal that in the long term, nickel coarsening is inhibited by the nanoscale entanglement of Ni and YSZ in the hierarchical microstructure.

Highly Stable and Efficient Perovskite Ferrite Electrode for Symmetrical Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Here, we report a new perovskite oxide with formula Sm_0.8Sr_0.2Fe_0.8Ti_0.15Ru_0.05O_3-δ (SSFTR), which exhibits a great potential as a symmetrical electrode material with satisfying stability in both reducing and oxidizing environments. Moreover, SSFTR exhibits good redox and thermal cycle stability. The electrolyte-supported (Sm_0.2Ce_0.8O_1.9, SDC) symmetrical cell with SSFTR electrodes possesses a peak power density of 271 mW·cm^-2 at 800 °C in wet H₂. Moreover, the peak power density is remarkably improved to 417 mW·cm^-2 when applying A-site-deficient perovskite oxide Sm_0.7Sr_0.2Fe_0.8Ti_0.15Ru_0.05O_3-δ as the symmetrical electrode, benifiting by the in situ-exsolved Ru nanoparticles with excellent electrocatalytic activity, since A-site deficiency can provide additional driving force for the exsolution of B-site cations upon reduction. As an ingenious approach, this exsolution of electrocatalytically active nanoparticles on the surface of electrode may be applicable to the development of other excellent performance electrodes for symmetrical SOFCs and other electrochemical systems.

Carbon Formation Mechanism of C2H2 in Ni-Based Catalysts Revealed by in Situ Electron Microscopy and Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Understanding the carbon formation mechanism is critical for designing catalysts in various applications. Here, we report the observation of the carbon formation mechanism on Ni-based catalysts by environmental transmission electron microscopy (ETEM) over a wide temperature range in combination with molecular dynamics simulations and density functional theory calculations. In situ TEM observation performed in a C₂H₂/H₂ atmosphere provides real-time evidence that Ni₃C is an intermediate phase that decomposes to graphitic carbon and metallic Ni, leading to carbon formation. Mechanisms of acetylene decomposition and evolution of carbon atom configuration are revealed by molecular dynamics simulations, which corroborate the experimental results. The modification of MgO on NiO can effectively decrease the formation of graphitic layers and thus enhance the catalytic performance of NiO. This finding may provide an insight into the origin of the carbon deposition and aid in developing effective approaches to mitigate it.

Carbon-Coated and Interfacial-Functionalized Mixed-Phase Mox Ti1-x O2-δ Nanotubes as Highly Active and Durable PtRu Catalyst Support for Methanol Electrooxidation

A synchronous carbon-coating and interfacial-functionalizing approach is proposed for the fabrication of Mo-doped Mo_x Ti_1-x O_2-δ nanotubes (C@IF-MTNTs) under mild hydrothermal reaction with subsequent annealing as advanced catalyst supports for PtRu nanoparticles (NPs) towards methanol electrooxidation. The carbonation of glucose and Mo-doping takes place simultaneously at the interface of pristine anatase TiO₂ nanotubes (TNTs), generating a unique concentric multilayered one-dimensional (1D) structure with crystalline an anatase/rutile mixed-phase TiO₂ core and Mo-functionalized interface and subsequently a carbon shell. The obtained PtRu/C@IF-MTNTs catalyst exhibits an over 2 times higher mass activity with comparable durability than that of the unmodified PtRu/C@TNTs catalyst and over 1.7 times higher mass activity with over 20 % higher stability than that of PtRu/C catalyst. Such superior catalytic performance towards methanol electrooxidation is ascribed to the Mo-functionalized interface, concentric multilayered 1D architecture, and anatase/rutile mixed-phase core, which facilitates the charge transport through 1D structural support and electronic interaction between C@IF-MTNTs and ultrafine PtRu NPs. This work reveals the critical application of a 1D interfacial functionalized architecture for advanced energy storage and conversion.

Adjustable Magnetic Phase Transition Inducing Unusual Zero Thermal Expansion in Cubic RCo2-Based Intermetallic Compounds (R = Rare Earth)

Metallic materials that exhibit negligible thermal expansion or zero thermal expansion (ZTE) have great merit for practical applications, but these materials are rare and their thermal expansions are difficult to control. Here, we successfully tailored the thermal expansion behaviors from strongly but abruptly negative to zero over wide temperature ranges in a series of (Gd,R)(Co,Fe)₂ (R = Dy, Ho, Er) intermetallic compounds by tuning the composition to bring the first-order magnetic phase transition to second-order. Interestingly, an unusual isotropic ZTE property with a coefficient of thermal expansion of α _l = 0.16(0) × 10^-6 K^-1 was achieved in cubic Gd_0.25Dy_0.75Co_1.93Fe_0.07 (GDCF) in the temperature range of 10-275 K. The short-wavelength neutron powder diffraction, synchrotron X-ray diffraction, and magnetic measurement studies evidence that this ZTE behavior was ascribed to the rare-earth-moment-dominated spontaneous volume magnetostriction, which can be controlled by an adjustable magnetic phase transition. The present work extends the scope of the ZTE family and provides an effective approach to exploring ZTE materials, such as by adjusting the magnetism or ferroelectricity-related phase transition in the family of functional materials.

Electrical Properties of Hollandite-Type Ba1.33Ga2.67Ti5.33O16, K1.33Ga1.33Ti6.67O16, and K1.54Mg0.77Ti7.23O16

Electrical conductivity and electrochemical catalytic activity for H₂ oxidation of Ti-based hollandite-type Ba_1.33Ga_2.67Ti_5.33O₁₆ (BGT), K_1.33Ga_1.33Ti_6.67O₁₆ (KGT), and K_1.54Mg_0.77Ti_7.23O₁₆ (KMT) were investigated, along with the chemical stability of KMT under H₂ at elevated temperature. BGT, KGT, and KMT crystallized in a tetragonal structure with the space-group I4/ m. The electrical conductivity in H₂ increases with increasing Ti content, and the highest total electrical conductivity of 2 S/cm at 800 °C in H₂ was observed for KMT. KGT:Fe (1:1) + 20% LSGM + 30% porosity composite electrode showed the lowest area specific resistance of ca. 1.6 Ω cm² at 800 °C for hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) under the open circuit condition. Moderate catalytic activity for HOR could be attributed to poor oxide ion conductivity and exclusion of potassium and hydrogen uptake in H₂ at elevated temperature. Bond valence sum mismatch map calculation showed that the ionic transport happens along the 1D channel of c-axis in the hollandite oxides.