Phase segregation of a composite air electrode unlocks the high performance of reversible protonic ceramic electrochemical cells

He, Fan; Hou, Mingyang; Liu, Dongliang; Ding, Yong; Sasaki, Kotaro; Choi, YongMan; Guo, Shihang; Han, Donglin; Liu, Ying; Liu, Meilin; Chen, Yu

doi:10.1039/d4ee01608d

Title: Phase segregation of a composite air electrode unlocks the high performance of reversible protonic ceramic electrochemical cells

Journal Article · 07 May 2024 · Energy & Environmental Science

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/d4ee01608d · OSTI ID:2406887

He, Fan ^[1]; Hou, Mingyang ^[1]; Liu, Dongliang ^[2]; Ding, Yong ^[3];

^[4];

^[5]; Guo, Shihang ^[6];

^[6]; Liu, Ying ^[7];

^[3];

^[1]

South China Univ. of Technology (SCUT), Guangzhou (China)
Nanjing Tech University (China)
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA (United States)
Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), Upton, NY (United States)
National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Tainan (Taiwan)
Soochow University, Suzhou (China)
Zijin Mining Group Company, Ltd, Xiamen (China). Research Institute of Renewable Energy and Advanced Materials

One breakthrough in developing highly efficient air electrodes for reversible protonic ceramic electrochemical cells (R-PCECs) is optimizing the sluggish oxygen reduction and water oxidation reactions. Here, we present a novel composite material with a nominal formula of high-entropy Ce_0.2Ba_0.2Sr_0.2La_0.2Ca_0.2CoO_3–δ (CBSLCC) that spontaneously self-assembles to three-phase electrocatalysts composed of deficient Ce_0.2–yBa_0.2Sr_0.2–xLa_0.2–xCa_0.2CoO_3–δ(CD-CBSLCC), CeO₂, and La_0.5Sr_0.5CoO_3–δ (LSC). Mechanistic studies corroborate that oxygen reduction may occur on entire air electrode surfaces, followed by water formation preferentially at or near CD-CBSLCC. The CeO₂ phase could provide or consume protons to facilitate the oxygen evolution/reduction kinetics in R-PCECs. The developed electrodes demonstrate a record-high electrochemical performance in dual modes of fuel cells and electrolysis cells, delivering a peak power density of 1.66 W cm_–2 at 600 °C and a current density of –1.76 A cm_–2 at 1.3 V and 600 °C. Finally, excellent operational stabilities of the fuel cell (200 h at 600 °C), electrolysis cell (200 h at 600 °C), and reversible cycling (548 h at 550 °C) provide a promising and reliable step towards realizing the commercialization of R-PCECs.

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Research Organization:: Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), Upton, NY (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Office of Sustainable Transportation. Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technologies Office (HFTO); National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC); Introduced Innovative R&D Team of Guangdong; Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities; Pearl River Talent Recruitment Program; Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation; Zijin Mining Group; National Science and Technology Council

Grant/Contract Number:: SC0012704

OSTI ID:: 2406887

Report Number(s):: BNL--225840-2024-JAAM

Journal Information:: Energy & Environmental Science, Journal Name: Energy & Environmental Science Journal Issue: 11 Vol. 17; ISSN 1754-5692

Publisher:: Royal Society of ChemistryCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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